Effects of Triethyl Lead Chloride on Oestradiol Metabolism in the Female Rat Liver Microsomal Fraction

Triethyl lead chloride (TEL) was added directly to female rat liver microsomal fractions at final concentrations of 0.0, 0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mM, respectively. The effect of oestradiol on liver microsomal metabolism was studied in vitro by incubating the microsomes with radioactive oestradiol-17 beta. The oestradiol metabolites were separated, identified and quantified. The highest treatment concentrations resulted in decreased activities of enzymes that metabolize oestradiol-17 beta.