Nephrotoxic effects of 1,3-dichloropropene (cis and trans isomers mixture) was investigated in vitro by means of renal cortical slice model in male and female rats, including treatment with metabolism modifiers as an inducer of cytochrome P-450 1A class (beta-naphthoflavone), a reduced glutathione depleting (DL-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine), an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (AT-125) and inhibitor of cysteine conjugate beta-lyase (aminooxiacetic acid). Dose-dependent decrease of p-aminohippurate uptake was observed in male renal cortical slices. Only the high doses (3.0 and 4.0 x 10(-4) M) caused a significant loss of organic anion uptake in females. beta-Naphthoflavone and alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125) partially, but significantly, reduced organic anion loss in males. In females, DL-buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine significantly increased in females but in males loss of organic anion accumulation caused by 1,3-dichloropropene. Aminooxyacetic acid did not ameliorate 1,3 D effects in vivo and in vitro in male rats. It appeared very toxic for female rats (all rats died) after in vivo injection. Sensitivity to nephrotoxicity induced by 1,3-dichloropropene in vitro was about double in male than female rats. Reduced glutathione conjugation appeared involved in nephrotoxicity induced in males but in females, probably by means of a chloropropyl-cysteinylglycine-conjugate formation; slight toxicity in females is likely related to oxidative metabolism.