Conjugation of fatty acids to DDT in the rat: possible mechanism for retention

Palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic fatty acid conjugates of DDT were retained in vivo in livers and spleens of male and female rats given chronic i.p. injections of DDT. These DDT fatty acid conjugates could also be produced in vitro in a rat liver coenzyme A fortified microsomal system using the DDT hydroxylated metabolite DDOH as the substrate. The phenomenon of fatty acid conjugation to DDT may be a mechanism by which it is retained in the body and ultimately exerts its toxic effect.