Polychlorinated biphenyl-induced decrease in liver vitamin A in Japanese quail and rats

Summary Aroclor 1242 (PCB) or DDT increased liver weight and lipids and decreased liver vitamin A of male and female rats or male Japanese quail. Laying female quail did not show consistent changes, presumably due to mobilization of lipid and vitamin A for egg yolk. When egg laying was inhibited, PCB reduced liver vitamin A 50%. Aroclor 1242 reduced egg production, but had no effect on egg weight or eggshell thickness.