Effects of Toxaphene on Hepatic Enzyme Induction and Circulating Steroid Levels in the Rat

Rats were given a single dose of toxaphene (120 mg/kg, equivalent to 1/2 LD50) and sacrificed at 1, 5, and 15 days. Liver weight and hepatic microsomal enzyme activity were increased at day 5 and 15. The level of plasma testosterone was significantly decreased at day 15. In a second experiment rats were given 2.4 mg/kg daily and sacrificed at 1, 3 and 6 months. Liver weight and microsomal enzyme activity were significantly increased over controls; enzyme activity was, however, decreasing by the end of the experiment. Plasma testosterone levels were not affected. It is concluded that enhanced hepatic enzyme induction causes only a transient drop in circulating testosterone levels followed by a return to normal values.