Differing estrogenic activities for the enantiomers of o,p′-DDT in immature female rats

Abstract

Female rats (20–21 days) were given single intraperitoneal injections of (±)-o,p′-DDT, (−)-o,p′-DDT, or (+)-o,p′-DDT. At 18 h their uteri were excised and the estrogen-sensitive parameters, uterine wet weight, and uterine glycogen content were measured. For o,p′-DDT, the levo enantiomer is the more active estrogen in immature female rats. Optical resolutions of other racemic environmental xenobiotics may be important in the evaluation of their biological effects.