[Ultrastructural changes in the livers of white rats after 3-months' exposure to DDT]

Wistar male albino rats, with a body weight 100 +/- 200 g were treated with 1/15 LD50 daily dose of 12 mg/kg body weight of DDT in the course of 30 days (group II), 60 days (group III), 90 days (group IV) and control (not-treated) animals (group I). Histological, histochemical and electron-microscopic studies were carried out. Most pronounced proved to be the changes in the hepatic cells on the 60th experimental day. The granular endoplasmatic reticulum, mitochondria and lysosomes were mainly affected. Data about a moderately manifested fatty degeneration were established. The findings described on the 60th day, however, were not aggravated with the further treatment--90th day, suggesting a relative light injury of the rat liver by the toxic effects mentioned.