Changes in steroid hormone metabolism in rat liver microsomes following administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxine (TCDD)

Treatment of male and female rats with 4 × 20 μg/kg of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxine (TCDD) led to 2-3-fold increases in liver microsomal cytochrome P450 levels concomitantly with changes in liver microsomal metabolism of 4-androstene-3,17-dione, 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and 4-pregnene-3, 20-dione. The changes were most pronounced in female rats where some hydroxylase activities increased 3-5-fold. It is suggested that the observed effects following TCDD administration may be related to the endocrine symptoms sometimes seen in patients exposed to this drug.