Effect of starvation on excretion, distribution and metabolism of DDT in mice.

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Abstract
Effect of starvation on tissue radioactivity of 14C-DDT was exmained in mice 8 days after a single injection. Animals were completely fasted and given BaSO4 by gastric intubation for the last 3 days. The findings obtained from starved mice were as follows: loss of body weight, decrease in organ weight of epididymal fat and liver, reduction in lipid content of whole body as well as of epididymal fat, a marked elevation of DDT levels in tissues except muscle and occasional neurotoxic signs characterized by tremors and convulsions. Excretion of DDT-related metabolites was not changed by starvation. Analysis of metabolic products of 14C-DDT using thin-layer radiochromatography revealed that there was little or no significant difference between control and starved mice in the metabolic pattern of DDT-related compounds in the tissues and excreta. It was assumed that DDT-ingested animals with dietary energy restriction had a subsequent risk of toxicity resulting from redistribution of DDT, but not from alteration in excretion or metabolism.