Estrogenic effects of the enantiomers of o,p′-DDT in Japanese quail

Abstract

Immature female Japanese quail were given three daily intraperitoneal injections of (±)-o,p′-DDT, (−)-o,p′-DDT, or (+)-o,p′-DDT. Seventy-two hours after the first injection the oviducts were excised and the estrogen-sensitive parameters, oviducal wet weight and oviducal glycogen content, were measured. The levo enantiomer of o,p′-DDT was a more active estrogen than the dextro form in the immature female quail. The differing estrogenic activities of the o,p′-DDT enantiomers apparently were not the result of a differential transport within the birds. A dietary dose of 200 ppm of (±)-o,p′-DDT was not estrogenic in immature female quail when administered for 3 or 7 days. Neither enantiomer of o,p′-DDT was able to offset a light-stimulated testicular wet weight increase in male Japanese quail.