Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was administered in gelatin capsules to male and female beagles at 1,000, 100, 10 and 1 mg/dog/day for twelve months. Mortality, anorexia and weight loss occurred primarily at the highest but also to a lesser degree at the next lower level. After approximately three months, body weight stabilized or losses were regained. Clinical laboratory changes found immediately before death in severely affected animals which may have been related to malnutrition, included anemia, hypoglycemia and testicular degeneration. A dose related neutrophilia appeared in the two highest dosage groups. The most widespread pathological lesions were confined to the abdomen and included serositis; necrosis, fibrosis and steatitis of the omentum, and lymphoid atrophy at the two highest dose levels. Nodular hyperplasia of gastric lymphoid tissue was found in all treated animals including those at 1 mg/da(6.5-10.0mg/kg). Four severely affected animals at the highest dose level showed a generalized vasculitis and one had amyloidosis. One dog from each of the two highest levels had bile duct hyperplasia and subchronic pericholangitis. Bile and perirenal fat showed a time and dose related accumulation of HCB.

"Contract No. 68-01-2936." "Date: 25 August 1976." "Sponsoring Organization: Office of Toxic Substances. Environmental Agency."--Bibliographic Data Sheet. Microfiche.