PCB levels in bird blood and relationship to MFO responses

A non destructive methods of risk evaluation using blood is proposed for birds. Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were fed different doses of Arochlor 1260 for 25 days to evaluate chemical stress in relation to accumulation, compartmentation and the release of PCBs into blood circulation. Total PCBs were determined in blood and liver. EROD, BROD, PROD, aldrin epoxidase and cytochrome P-450 were measured in the liver microsomal fraction, and the somatic liver index was calculated. In blood and liver, the principal congeners found (153, 138, 180 and 170) were the most persistent ones. Statistically significant correlations were found between liver monooxygenase activity, PCB levels in blood and dose. Evaluation of PCBs in blood can be proposed as a tool to predict induction of liver monooxygenases.