Vitamin E serum levels in patients with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma

The serum -tocopherol levels were determined in a group of 182 patients with hematological neoplasms: 87 lymphoid or myeloid leukemias, 65 lymphomas and 30 myelomas. The levels did not differ from those of controls, when compared either globally or for diagnosis. Low -tocopherol serum levels were observed in 6 patients (3.3%).     

Plasma retinol and tocopherol levels in Greek elderly population from an urban and a rural area: Associations with the dietary habits

Data on plasma concentrations of retinol and -tocopherol in elderly (over 65 years) living in the Mediterranean countries are sparse. In the current study, plasma retinol and -tocopherol concentrations were determined in 200 healthy subjects (82 men and 112 women) residing in an urban and in a rural area in South Western Greece. High prevalence of low plasma retinol concentration was observed for both sexes in each area. The 16.7% of males in urban and 25.4% in rural area had plasma retinol levels below 0.3 mg/l. The corresponding values for female subjects were 26% and 20.3%. Plasma -tocopherol was found to be within normal range in the rural area (only one male had plasma -tocopherol below 5 mg/l) while in the urban area 68.3% of men and 62% of women had plasma -tocopherol values below 5 mg/l. Differences in dietary habits between subjects living in the rural and in the urban area were revealed through a weekly food frequency questionnaire. This could partly explain the difference in -tocopherol concentrations between the two areas. The results of this study revealed high risk of vitamin A and E deficiency and suggests that the health care system in Greece should pay more attention on the social and health status of its elderly population.     

Congener-specific data on polychlorinated biphenyls in tissues of common porpoise from Puck Bay,Baltic Sea

Individual congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including the highly toxic non-ortho coplanar 3,3,4,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 77), 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 126), and 3,3,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 169), and their mono- and di-ortho analogs, have been identified and quantified in the blubber, liver, and muscles of three female common porpoise Phocoena phocoena collected from the Puck Bay (inner Gulf of Gdask, Poland) in 1989–1990, to elucidate actual concentrations and toxic potential. The total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin toxic equivalent for 13 coplanar PCBs in blubber was 1,500±470 pg/g wet wt. 2,3,4,4,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 118) was the most contributing individual and occupied between 57 and 67% in total toxic equivalent of coplanar PCBs in blubber, while 2,2,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 153), 2,3,3,4,4-pentachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 105) and 2,2,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 138) comprised between 9.5–14, 7.6–11.5, and 7.2–11.0%, respectively (totally 82–95%), and 2,3,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl (IUPAC No. 156) was absent. A potentially most toxic non-ortho PCB members such as 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl, 3,3,4,4,5,5-hexachlorobiphenyl and 3,3,4,4-tetrachlorobiphenyl were only minor contributors, altogether occupying between 1.0 and 14.5% in total TEQ of coplanar PCBs. Concentrations of total PCBs in lipids of the blubber ranged from 26 to 47 g/g and were comparable or lower than reported earlier for common porpoises from the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and North Atlantic by other authors.     

Mechanism for bone disease found in inhabitants environmentally exposed to cadmium: decreased serum 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D level

Summary To investigate the mechanism for bone disease caused by exposure to cadmium serum samples were collected from 5 itai-itai disease patients, 36 Cd-exposed residents with renal tubular damage and 17 non-exposed individuals and analyzed for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D[1, 25(OH)₂D], parathyroid hormone, ₂-microglobulin, calcium and inorganic phosphorus. Measurement of percentage tubular reabsorption of phosphate (%TRP) were performed only on the Cd-exposed subjects. Serum 1, 25(OH)₂D], levels were lower in itai-itai disease patients and cadmium-exposed subjects with renal damage than in non-exposed subjects. Parathyroid hormone and ₂-microglobulin concentrations in serum were higher in the Cd-exposed subjects. Decrease in serum 1,25(OH)₂D levels were closely related to serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone, ₂-microglobulin and %TRP. This study suggests that cadmium-induced bone effects were mainly due to a disturbance in vitamin D and parathyroid hormone metabolism, which was caused by the cadmium-induced kidney damage.     

Serum vitamin D metabolites in cadmium-exposed persons with renal damage

Summary Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)₂D], and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)₂D] were measured in ten cadmium (Cd)-exposed subjects and five non exposed subjects. The Cd-exposed subjects were divided into two groups according to serum 1,25(OH)₂D levels. No significant differences for 25(OH)D were found between the Cd-exposed group with low or normal serum 1,25(OH)₂D and the non exposed group. The concentrations of 24,25(OH)₂D were the lowest in the Cd-exposed group with low serum 1,25(OH)₂D, highest in the non exposed group, and significantly lower in the Cd-exposed group with normal serum 1,25(OH)₂D than in the non exposed group. Renal function was much worse in the Cd-exposed group with low serum 1,25(OH)₂D than in the group with normal serum 1,25(OH)₂D. These findings indicate that Cd initially disturbs hydroxylation from 25(OH)D to 24,25(OH)₂D and then disturbs hydroxylation from 25(OH)D to 1,25(OH)₂D. The decrease of serum 24,25(OH)₂D and 1,25(OH)₂D in Cd-exposed subjects is not due to a decrease of the serum 25(OH)D level.     

The Nottingham Health Profile: Score distribution, internal consistency and validity in asthma and COPD patients

This cross-sectional study among patients with asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in general practice examined the psychometric properties of the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). From 380 asthma patients and 170 COPD patients, data were obtained on the NHP, subjective measurements (i.e. sleep disturbances, problems in performing household activities, dyspnoea) and more objective measurements (peak expiratory flow rate, consultation rate, comorbidity). These data were used to compute score distributions, internal consistency (Cronbach's -coefficient) and construct validity. Score distributions were very skewed, with more than 50% of the patients achieving the best score. The internal consistency was moderate in the asthma group (mean =0.68) and acceptable in the COPD group (mean =0.74). Acceptable construct validity was found in both groups. Correlations between the NHP and the subjective measurements were, in general, statistically significant and higher than between the NHP and the more objective measurements. In conclusion, acceptable internal consistency and construct validity implies that the NHP can be used in cross-sectional studies concerning asthma and COPD patients in general practice, and in studies comparing these patients with other patient populations. Further research on the responsiveness of the NHP is needed to justify its use in longitudinal studies.     

Synergistic inactivation of plasma α1-proteinase inhibitor by aldehydes of cigarette smoke with styrene oxide and 1,2-dichloroethane

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that ₁proteinase inhibitor (₁-PI) can be inactivated by aldehydes found in the cigarette smoke as well as by industrial chemicals. Studies presented here demonstrate the synergistic inactivation of ₁-PI by styrene oxide or 1,2-dichloroethane when mixed with acrolein or pyruvic aldehyde and vice-versa. The data suggest that smokers exposed to chemicals in industry may be more prone to lung emphysema due to synergistic inactivation of ₁-PI by chemicals and cigarette smoke components.     

Polychlorobiphenyls, ΣDDT,and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in the western North Pacific ecosystem

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDT (p,p-DDT,p,p-DDD, andp,p-DDE and HCH isomers (hexachlorocyclohexanes including , , and isomers) were determined in a marine food chain, including seawater, zooplankton, myctophid, squid and striped dolphin collected from the western North Pacific waters. The concentrations of these pollutants increased in higher trophic levels, where the highest bioconcentration factors (concentration ratio in organisms to water), as much as 10⁷, were obtained from both PCBs and DDT in striped dolphin. The proportions of highly chlorinated biphenyls,p,p-DDE and -HCH increased in higher-ranking predators. These observations suggest that the bioaccumulation mechanisms in lower trophic levels depend primarily on the physicochemical properties of pollutants, whereas those in higher trophic levels are affected by the biodegradability of the pollutants and the metabolic capacity and life-span of the organisms.     

Identification of cis- and trans-verbenol in human urine after occupational exposure to terpenes

Summary Urine from sawmill workers exposed to -pinene, -pinene and -3-carene was collected and hydrolyzed with -glucuronidase at pH 5.0 for 24h at 37°C. After hydrolysis the urine was cleaned on a SEP-PAK C₁₈ cartridge. The cartridge was eluted with n-heptane. The eluate was injected onto a gas chromatograph equipped with a 25-m (0.32-mm ID) SP-1000 capillary column. The major peak in the chromatogram was identified by GC-MS as trans-verbenol by electron impact at 70 eV. cis-Verbenol was also identified. These metabolites could not be detected in non-hydrolyzed urine from the exposed workers or in hydrolyzed urine from an unexposed individual. The recoveries of the verbenols from hydrolyzed urine were in the range of 85 to 94% and the metabolites were stable both in urine and in n-heptane after sample cleaning at –20°C for at least 12 weeks. We suggest that these metabolites are formed from -pinene by hydroxylation.     

Reproducibility over time of measurements of androgens,estrogens and hydroxy estrogens in urine samples from post-menopausal women

Sex steroid concentrations in urine samples from post-menopausal women have been associated with risk of various chronic diseases. The basic requirement for the assessment of risk in such large-scale epidemiological studies is that subjects be ranked accurately by their average, long-term hormone levels. We examined the reproducibility over time of measurements of urinary testosterone (T), 5-androstane-3, 17-diol (ADIOL), estrone (E₁), estradiol (E₂), 2-hydroxy estrone and 2-hydroxy estradiol, (2(OH)-E), 16-hydroxyestrone (16(OH)-E₁) and the ratio of 2(OH)-E and 16(OH)-E₁, in a representative sub-sample of post-menopausal women (n = 43) participating in an ongoing prospective cohort study. Women collected three first morning urine voids on different occasions, with average time difference between the first and the third urine sample of 5.1 years. T, ADIOL, E₁ and E₂ were measured by radio immunoassay after enzymatic hydrolysis, solid-phase extraction and HPLC purification of the samples, while 2(OH)-E and 16(OH)-E₁ were assayed by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay after enzymatic hydrolysis. Intra-class correlation co-efficients (ICCs) over time were very good for T (r = 0.85), acceptable for E₂, E₁ and ADIOL (r > 0.55), but low for 2(OH)-E, 16(OH)-E₁ and their ratio (r < 0.46). The adjustment for creatinine concentrations did not increase these correlations.     

Estimation of Estrogenic and Antiestrogenic Activities of Selected Pesticides by MCF-7 Cell Proliferation Assay

Estrogenic activities of 20 selected pesticides—which are used for agricultural production as insecticides, fungicides and herbicides—were examined by estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent MCF-7 cell proliferation assay. Among them, chlordecone, dicofol, methoxychlor, -HCH, fenarimol, EPN, triadimefon, and triadimenol had estrogenic activities, all of which were suppressed by the addition of pure antiestrogen ICI 182,780. The first 5 compounds exhibited binding capacities to ER. The antiestrogenic activity of a compound was examined by estimating its suppressive effect on cell proliferation induced by 30 pM 17-estradiol. Strongly suspected antiestrogens were captan and myclobutanil, both of which were found to have the capacity to bind to ER and which might exert their activities by competing at the level of ER. Antiestrogenic activities of nitrofen, fenitrothion, fenarimol and triadimefon were also suggested. Affinities of the compounds for ER and/or androgen receptor (AR) were lower than those of synthetic estrogen (diethylstilbestrol) and testosterone (mibolerone), respectively. Fenitrothion had the highest affinity to AR. Chlordecone, dicofol, methoxychlor, nitrofen, fenarimol, myclobutanil and pyridate had capacities to bind both ER and AR. Chlordecone and pyridate were much more effective as competitors of estrogen binding to ER than androgen binding to AR and, conversely, nitrofen was a more effective competitor of androgen binding to AR.     

The Po River Delta epidemiological survey: Reference values of total serum IgE levels in a normal population sample of North Italy (8–78 yrs)

The aim of this paper was to define, for the first time in Italy, normal levels of total serum IgE in a general population sample of North Italy. Total serum IgE in 1905 subjects, living in Po Delta area (near Venice), were measured by PRIST method. Normal values were derived from 558 subjects without asthma and/or asthmatic/rhinitic symptoms, noncurrent smokers, skin prick-test negatives (normals). Cut-off values to differentiate normals from the remaining part of the sample (others), from asthmatic, and from rhinitic subjects, were established with the IgE value midway between the upper limit of the 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the geometric mean for normals and the lower limit for others, asthmatics, and rhinitics, respectively. Geometric mean of normal children–adolescents was 45 kU/L (SD: 2.6; 95% CI: 38–63). In normal adults geometric mean was 29 kU/L (SD: 3.3; 95% CI: 25–40) in males and 19 kU/L (SD: 3.8; 95% CI: 16–22) in females. The diagnostic sensitivity of IgE test was low, while the specificity was very high. A good positive predictive value in discriminating normals from others was found, on the contrary, we found a good negative predictive value in discriminating normals from asthmatics or from rhinitics. In conclusion, our results confirm that it is necessary to provide separate total serum IgE reference values for what concerns age in children–adolescents and in adults, and gender, in adults. Low level of total serum IgE are helpful to exclude allergic asthma or rhinitis.     

Antiovulatory action of anordrin in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Anordrin (2,17-diethynyl-A-nor-5-androstane-2,17-diol dipropionate) was studied for its antiovulatory potency in the cynomolgus monkey. Anordrin, administered daily on days 9–13 of the menstrual cycle in doses of 4.0 and 8.0 mg/kg body weight, did not inhibit luteal activity in the cycle in which it was given, but delayed the development of ovarian follicles for 5 to 6 months. When a single low dose (0.1 or 0.2 mg/kg b.w.) was administered during the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle, follicular maturation was delayed such that luteal activity was not observed for an average of 26 and 39 days, respectively, and pregnanediol in the ensuing luteal phases was significantly decreased. Anordrin appears to inhibit follicular development when given during the stage of follicular recruitment.

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Resumen Se estudió en la mona del género cynomolgus el poder anovulatorio del anordrin (dipropionato de 2,17-dietinil-A-nor-5-androstano-2,17-diol). Administrado diariamente en los días 9 a 13 del ciclo menstrual en dosis de 4,0 y 8,0 mg/kg de peso corporal, el anordrin no inhibió la actividad lútea durante el ciclo en el cual fue administrado, pero retrasó el desarrollo de los folículos ováricos durante 5 a 6 meses. La administración de una dosis baja única (0,1 ó 0,2 mg/kg de peso corporal) durante los 3 primeros días del ciclo menstrual retrasó la madurez folicular a tal punto que no se observó ninguna actividad lútea durante 26 y 39 días en promedio, respectivamente, y el pregnandiol disminuyó significativamente en las fases lúteas siguientes. El anordrin parecer inhibir el desarrollo folicular cuando se administra durante la fase de movilización folicular.

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Resumé On a étudié sur la guenon du genre cynomolgus le pouvoir antiovulatoire de l'anordrin (diproprionate de 2,17-diéthynyl-A-nor-5-androstène-2,17-diol). Administré quotidiennement aux jours 9 à 13 du cycle menstruel aux doses de 4,0 et 8,0 mg/kg de poids corporel, l'anordrin n'a pas inhibé l'activité lutéale pendant le cycle au cours duquel il a été administré, mais il a retardé le développement des follicules ovariens pendant 5 à 6 mois. L'administration d'une faible dose unique (0,1 our 0,2 mg/kg de poids corporel) pendant les 3 premiers jours du cycle menstruel a retardé la maturation folliculaire à un tel point qu'aucune activité lutéale n'a été observée pendant, respectivement, 26 et 39 jours en moyenne et que le prégnandiol était en diminution significative pendant les phases lutéales suivantes. L'anordrin semble inhiber le développement folliculaire lorsqu'il est administré pendant la phase de mobilisation folliculaire.

     

Serum hexachlorocyclohexane residues in workers engaged at a HCH manufacturing plant

Summary The accumulation of hexachlorocyclohexane, one of the most commonly used chlorinated insecticides, was studied in a high-risk group of people who are exposed during its manufacturing process. The serum HCH concentration was estimated by quantitating its , , and -isomers with the help of GLC analysis. Exposed workers involved in maintenance work were found to have 3 times higher HCH residues than the controls, while in the plant operators and supervisors the levels were 5 times higher. The most severely exposed were the handlers who are in direct contact with the insecticide. The level of serum HCH residues in them was found to be about 12 times higher than those in the controls. The percentage composition of the insecticide, with respect to the different isomers, varied up to 20% for the -isomer, up to 30% for -isomer and had between 60%–100% of the -isomer in the samples. The serum levels of the insecticides were clearly related to the workers' job-related close contact, intensity, frequency, and the duration of their exposure. The total of HCH residues in the sera studied were in the range of 0.143–1.152 ppm. The importance of these findings and the relevant protective measures are discussed.     

In vitro inactivation of plasma α1-proteinase inhibitor by epoxides and 1,2-dihaloethanes

The inactivating effects of three epoxides and two dihaloethanes on the proteinase inhibitory activities of ₁-proteinase inhibitor, as well as those of the plasma itself, were investigated. All of the three epoxides (styrene oxide, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide), individually, inactivated the elastase inhibitory or trypsin inhibitory activity of proteinase inhibitor, and that of whole plasma. Styrene oxide is the most effective inactivator of either purified ₁-proteinase inhibitor or plasma, followed by ethylene oxide and propylene oxide in a decreasing order of potency. The dihaloethanes, 1,2-dichloroethane and 1,2-dibromoethane, also inactivated the proteinase inhibitory activities of ₁-proteinase inhibitor with the former being somewhat more effective than the latter. Concomitant modification of the amino group was also observed with these chemicals.     

Psychometric validation of the revised Functional Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FAHI) quality of life instrument

The revised Functional Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FAHI) quality of life (QoL) instrument has been updated and expanded to provide more complete and accurate coverage of human immune deficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)-related QoL. Factor analysis and the Rasch measurement model were used to determine a new subscale structure for the FAHI. The content of these subscales, including physical well-being (ten items, = 0.91), function and global well-being (13 items, = 0.86), emotional well-being/living with HIV (10 items, = 0.82), social well-being (eight items, = 0.73), and cognitive functioning (three items; = 0.75), reflect both general illness- and HIV/AIDS-specific QoL concerns: a total QoL score can also be calculated for the FAHI (44 items, =0.91). Psychometric evaluation revealed good internal consistency reliability for the FAHI and its subscales. In addition, construct validity, known groups validity and sensitivity to change were demonstrated by significant associations between the FAHI and additional indicators of functional status, psychological symptoms, stress and illness severity. In summary, the FAHI is a psychometrically sound instrument that captures multiple important dimensions of HIV/AIDS-related QoL. It is brief, easy to administer and score, has been translated into nine languages other than English and is appropriate for use in clinical trials and clinical practice.     

Chronic toxicity and bioaccumulation of 2,5,2′,5′- and 3,4,3′,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl and Aroclor® 1242 in the amphipodHyalella azteca

The addition of 100 (g/L of Aroclor^® 1242 (A1242) or 2,5,2,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TeCB) during 10 week chronic toxicity tests withHyalella azteca resulted in complete mortality. There were no effects on survival, growth, or reproduction after addition of 30 g/L. Toxic effects were observed at tissue levels of between 30 and 180 g/g on a wet weight basis, and tissue levels appear to be a better indicator of toxicity than levels in water. No toxic effects were observed after additions of up to 2,700 g/L of the coplanar congener 3,4,3,4-TeCB.H. azteca has the ability to avoid accumulating in excess of 140 g/g 3,4,3,4-TeCB. The amount taken up was proportional to the amount added in water up to 100 g/L, but was constant at higher additions, possibly accounting for its relatively low toxicity. The low toxicity of the coplanar congener, as compared to the non-coplanar 2,5,2,5-TeCB, is in direct contrast to the high toxicity of coplanar PCB congeners to mammals and may be associated with slower rates of aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism in amphipods. Polychlorinated biphenyl levels measured in amphipods from Lake Ontario are approximately 100-fold below levels associated with toxicity inH. azteca, but are above levels which, through biomagnification up the food chain, lead to salmonid residues in excess of 2 g/g, a tolerance limit for human consumption.     

Levels of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in mothers' milk collected in Osaka prefecture from 1969 to 1976

Long-term investigations of polychlorinated hydrocarbon levels in mothers' milk were made from 1969 to 1976. The levels ofp,p-DDE, p,p DDT, dieldrin and PCB in mothers' milk were within the range reported by others. However, -BHC(Hexachlorocyclohexane) levels in the milk were 10 times that found in non-Japanese. A gradual decrease in the -BHC level in the milk was observed during this period. In contrast, the levelsof p,p-DDE,p,p-DDT, dieldrin and PCB were consistent for the 7-year period. A significant correlation between the levels of PCB andp,p-DDE in mothers' milk and blood was observed in the 1974–1976 samples. However, after prohibition of the use of chlorinated hydrocarbons, this relationship was less apparent in the 1972–1973 samples.     

Translation,cultural adaptation,and initial reliability and multitrait testing of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life instrument for use in Japan

Background: The Kidney Disease Quality of Life instrument (KDQOL) consists of 79 items: 36 asking about health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in general (the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36) and 43 asking about QOL as it is affected by kidney disease and by dialysis. Aim: Translation, cultural adaptation and initial reliability and multitrait testing of the KDQOL for use in Japan. Methods: Translation and cultural adaptation began with two translations into Japanese, two backtranslations into English, and discussions among the translators, the project coordinators in Japan, and the developers of the original (US-English) version. Focus-group discussions and field testing were followed by analyses of test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant construct validity. Results: All eight of the SF-36 scales met the criterion for internal consistency (Cronbach's ranged from 0.73 to 0.92) and were reproducible (intraclass correlations between test and retest scores ranged from 0.60 to 0.82). Of the 10 kidney-disease-targeted scales, only two had coefficients of less than 0.70: sleep (0.61) and quality of social interaction (0.35). One item on the quality of social interaction scale had a very weak correlation with the remainder of that scale (r = 0.10). Eliminating that item from scoring increased the coefficient of the scale from 0.35 to 0.64. All three items on the quality of social interaction scale had very strong correlations with other scales. Conclusions: First, in Japanese patients receiving dialysis the SF-36 scales are internally consistent and their scores are reproducible. Second, with the possible exception of the quality of social interaction scale, the Japanese version of the KDQOL,can provide psychometrically sound kidney-disease-targeted data on quality of life in such patients.     

Organochlorines including polychlorinated biphenyls in muscle,liver, and ovaries of cod,Gadus morhua

Twenty-three specific organochlorine contaminants and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), measured as three Aroclor^® standards were analyzed in muscle, liver, and ovaries of cod, Gadus morhua, collected in the Northwest Atlantic. In general, contaminants were undetectable in muscle tissue, while concentrations were 10 times lower in ovaries than liver (wet weight). Comparison of results to other locations indicated a similarity between the ratio of the concentrations of p,p-DDE, p,p-DDD and p,p-DDT, in liver of cod from the northern North Sea and from the Northwest Atlantic, although with lower levels in the present study. The ratio of -HCH and -HCH was between that of the central and northern North Sea. Similar ratios tend to indicate similar residence times in the atmosphere, from source to sampling area. Comparison of PCB and DDT in the liver of cod from various geographical locations showed the following general trend in concentrations: Arctic, Northwest Atlantic, West Atlantic, Norway < North Baltic, Nova Scotia, North Sea < South Baltic. It was observed that if the liver concentration of one compound was low (high), there was a tendency for all compounds to be low (high). Cluster analysis of organochlorines in liver pointed to the presence of four basic clusters, which could reflect similar physical chemical properties within a group. Concentrations of organochlorines in ovaries were below levels expected to affect egg and larval viability.