DDT and its metabolites in leiomyomatous and normal human uterine tissue

Residues of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites were monitored in leiomyomatous and normal human uterine tissue by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The metabolites detected were: 2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), 2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (o,p'-DDT), 2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane (p,p'-DDD) and 2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (p,p'-DDT). Total DDT ranged from 0.245 to 1.982 ppm, with a mean value of 0.845 ppm in leiomyomatous tissue. In normal human uterine tissue, total DDT ranged from 0.030 to 0.282 ppm, with a mean value of 0.103 ppm. Significantly higher levels of DDT and its metabolites in leiomyomatous tissue as compared to normal uterine tissue suggest their involvement in uterine leiomyomas. The data is discussed in the light of existing knowledge on estrogenic activity of DDT analogs and estrogen-influenced growth of uterine leiomyomas.