Mixed function oxidase system in hepatic and extrahepatic tissues of developing chickens following various treatments.

Alterations in hepatic and extrahepatic protein content, activities of drug enzymes, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide formation and levels of microsomal electron transport components were examined in developing chickens during treatment with phenobarbital (PB), benzene and 1,1,1,-trichloro 2,2, bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) treated group of 4-8 weeks old chickens. Activities of hepatic and extrahepatic (kidney, lung, intestine) tissues enzymes were induced during PB treatment in all groups of chicken. However benzene and DDT treated group of chickens recorded decrease in activities of drug enzymes. Magnitude of increase due to PB administration was much more in liver as compared to kidney, lung and intestine. Hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxide formation significantly increased in all tissues during treatments of benzene and DDT. Levels of cyto P-450, cyto b5 and cyto c-reductase, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide formation increased in all groups of chickens during various treatments. The results suggest that chicken liver contains more drug enzyme activities and electron transport components during development as compared to other tissues. Benzene and DDT administration resulted into decrease in the activities of drug enzymes.