Comparative toxicity and biotransformation of lindane in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice

DBA/2 mice, previously identified as "unresponsive" to aromatic hydrocarbons which induce microsomal enzymes in C57BL/6 mice, are more vulnerable to the convulsant effect of repeated doses of lindane than similarly treated C57BL/6 mice. Death in convulsions and higher blood and brain lindane concentrations indicate that less efficient disposition of lindane itself accounts for the greater vulnerability of the DBA/2 mice. The same two principal chlorophenolic metabolites of lindane were identified in the blood and tissues of both strains, but the time-courses of blood concentrations in response to repeated lindane dosing were different.