A REVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACUTE TOXICITY (LC(50)) OF GAMMA-HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE (GAMMA-HCH, LINDANE) AND TOTAL LIPID-CONTENT OFDIFFERENT FISH SPECIES
Hj. Geyer et al., A REVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ACUTE TOXICITY (LC(50)) OF GAMMA-HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE (GAMMA-HCH, LINDANE) AND TOTAL LIPID-CONTENT OFDIFFERENT FISH SPECIES, Toxicology, 83(1-3), 1993, pp. 169-179
This paper provides an explanation for a 40-fold difference in the acu
te toxicity (LC(50)) of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH, Lindan
e) in 14 different fish species, based on well recognized principles o
f toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics in combination with a compilation
of data from the literature and some original data. The 48-h median le
thal concentration (48-h LC(50)) of gamma-HCH in 14 fish species, belo
nging to 6 families, range from 22 to 900 mu g/l. A significant positi
ve linear relationship was found between lipid content (% of wet weigh
t) and the 48-h LC(50) of gamma-HCH in these fish species, revealing t
hat the toxicity of gamma-HCH in various fish species is decreasing wi
th increasing total lipid content. If median lethal concentrations are
normalized for 1% lipid content, then the range of 48-h LC(50)s is re
duced to between 18 and 32 mu g/l. It is concluded that lipids of aqua
tic organisms can serve (among other functions) as a protective storag
e site against the toxic effects of gamma-HCH and, possibly, of other
lipophilic, persistent organic chemicals which are bioconcentrated in
body lipids. Therefore, in organisms with higher lipid content, a smal
ler fraction of a lipophilic chemical will reach target organs (livers
, lung, central and peripheral nerves, etc.) to cause adverse effects.
Results suggest that this correlation can be used to extrapolate the
acute toxicity (48-h LC(50)) of gamma-HCH to other fish species if the
ir lipid content is known. Furthermore, the data generated by extrapol
ation of this correlation could be useful in the environmental risk as
sessment of freshwater and marine organisms.