The present studies characterized the pancreatic metabolic system which biodegrades benzo[a]pyrene (BP), in male Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with 20 mg/kg 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), 75 mg/kg phenobarbital (PB) or solvent as control. Type of cytochrome involved was examined by measuring the reaction in the presence of 7,8-benzoflavone (BF), an inhibitor of the cytochrome P-448-related enzyme activity. The data indicated that the enzyme activity was induced by pretreatment with PB but not with 3MC. These pretreatment protocols resulted in changes both in Km and Vmax. Studies with BF suggested that pancreatic tissue may not contain more than one class of hemoprotein. These studies pointed out species differences between the rat and guinea pig, and confirmed the pancreatic capability to metabolize procarcinogens and to further degrade carcinogenic metabolites.