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Biotransformation rates measured using cryopreserved trout hepatocytes can be extrapolated to the whole animal to predict metabolism impacts on chemical bioaccumulation. Future use of these methods within a regulatory context requires, however, that they be optimized and standardized. Specifically, questions exist concerning gender differences in metabolism, cryopreservability of cells, and the accuracy of in vitro-in vivo scaling factors.

2. In this study, we evaluated hepatocytes from juvenile male and female trout. No gender differences in cell size, protein abundance, cytochrome P450 content, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity, uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase activity or intrinsic clearance of pyrene were observed for freshly isolated hepatocytes. There was a small difference in measured glutathione-S-transferase activity (<25%; males > females).

3. Cells were cryopreserved by two methods: direct placement into liquid N-2 vapor and controlled, slow-rate freezing. Comparable live recovery and enzymatic activity were observed regardless of freezing method or gender. Cells cryopreserved in liquid N-2 vapor exhibited activity levels similar to those of freshly isolated cells, although there were small but significant differences in pyrene clearance and glutathione-S-transferase activity (frozen < fresh). Hepatocellularity values did not differ by sex.

4. These results suggest that hepatocytes from male and female juvenile trout may be used interchangeably for in vitro-in vivo metabolism extrapolations.