Irreversible binding of o,p′-DDD in interrenal cells of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Precision-cut tissue slices of the anterior kidney from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) were prepared with a Krumdieck tissue slicer and exposed to 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-chloro-(14C)phenyl)-1,1-dichlorethane (o,p′-[14C]DDD) in vitro. Microautoradiography revealed irreversible o,p′-DDD-derived binding confined to the glucocorticoid producing interrenal cells (adrenocortical analogues). This cell-selective binding was confirmed by means of autoradiography at different levels of resolution on Atlantic cod administered o,p′-[14C]DDD intragastrically. The results provide evidence for a site-specific metabolic activation and irreversible binding of o,p′-DDD in the interrenal cells, which, in turn, may modify glucocorticoid homeostasis.