Distribution and excretion of hexachlorobenzene in bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Abstract

After a single dose of [¹⁴C]hexachlorobenzene (HCB) via gavage into the crop, the accumulation of [¹⁴C]HCB in female bobwhite (Colinus virginianusj tissues occurred to the greatest extent in adipose tissue followed by skin, liver, brain, heart and kidney, whole blood, and muscle. There was a general relation between increasing HCB concentration and increasing fat content of the tissue. Absorption of [¹⁴C]‐HCB was rapid with peak radioactivity occurring at 4 h in all tissues except for fat and skin, where it continued to rise until 32 and 16 h after dosing, respectively. Elimination of HCB from tissue was biphaslc with phase I representing the combination of HCB excretion and HCB redistribution from tissue into fat stores. Phase II represented solely HCB excretion, which appeared to be a first‐order process. The half‐life of [¹⁴C]HCB in tissues, feces, and eggs ranged from 9–13 d regardless of HCB concentration. Radioactive HCB accumulation in egg yolk was a significant mechanism for the removal of this chemical from bobwhite and accounted for 50% of the total HCB excreted.