The metabolism of some chlorinated dibenzofurans by rats

Rats were given single oral doses of 2-chloro-, 2,8-dichloro-, 2,3,8-trichloro- and octachloro-dibenzofuran. Urine, faeces, fat and liver were analysed for starting materials and metabolites. The mono-, di- and trichlorodibenzofurans yielded mono- and dihydroxy derivatives, but metabolites containing sulphur were detected only with the mono- and dichlorodibenzofuran.Contrary to the chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, where hydroxylated metabolites with substitution only at the 2,3-positions were isolated, chlorodibenzofuran-metabolites show a wider substitution pattern; five monohydroxy-derivatives were found, for instance, from 2,8-dichlorodibenzofuran.No metabolites were detected in urine, faeces and tissues of rats which were fed with octachlorodibenzofuran.