Induction of cytochrome P4501A in fish is a well-known indicator of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and determination of PAH metabolites in bile by fixed wavelength fluorescence (FF) or synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS), has become an useful method in monitoring programs. In this work the relationship between cytochrome P4501A (EROD activity) and levels of biliary PAH metabolites was measured in the European eel Anguilla anguilla, in both field and laboratory conditions: organisms were sampled on a seasonal basis from the Orbetello lagoon (Tuscany) to characterize the natural variability of these biological parameters, while in laboratory eels were intraperitoneally injected with benzo[a]pyrene to investigate temporal and dose-dependent induction patterns. Results showed that induction of cytochrome P450 and accumulation of PAHs metabolites in bile are not necessarily correlated either in field, or in laboratory investigations; different seasonal changes were measured in natural conditions and slight variations in dose and time response patterns were also obtained in laboratory exposures.