Effects of Dietary Aroclor® 1242 on Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and the Selective Accumulation of PCB Components

Abstract

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings fed a diet containing 20 ppm Aroclor® 1242 for 20 wk responded with a reduced weight gain and liver hypertrophy when compared to controls. When treated fish were fed the control diet for 8 subsequent wk followed by 8 additional wk of Aroclor® feed, they approached control values for liver weight and surpassed the rate of gain for control fish. No histopathological lesions were observed in the fish fed PCB. The total PCB in fish declined slightly during an 8-wk PCB-free period beginning at week 12, but the PCB burden remained constant when the PCB-free period was begun at week 20. During PCB-free periods, there was a shift in residues from the edible carcass to the offal. Residues are discussed as components as well as total PCB. We found that a tetrachlorobiphenyl is more persistent than some higher chlorinated components and that various tissues accumulated different profiles of components.