Accumulation and metabolism of phenanthrene by saithe (Pollachius virens)

Abstract

Phenanthrene labeled with carbon-14 was administered to saithe. Pollachius virens, in dry food and the radioactivity in the different tissues were measured at intervals using a Packard Tri-Carb scintillation-counter. Carbon-14 was rapidly accumulated in the liver and thereafter high concentrations was found in the gall bladder. Two weeks later most of the carbon-14 had disappeared. The metabolites of phenanthrene were isolated from the gall bladder and the uring 36 hours after the administration of 25 mg. The analyses of the TMS-derivatives of the metabolites were performed using a computerized gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. Quantitative studies were carried but using massfragmentography. A total of seven metabolites were isolated and identified. The main metabolite found was 1. 2 -dihydro-1. 2 -dihydroxyphenanthrene, which constituted 80 - 90 % of the total metabolic products. In the gall bladder 90 % of the metabolites were conjugated, in the urine 67%.