The activity and level of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase (PC) has been reported to be altered by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) treatment in mice. If alteration in PC level/activity by TCDD influences TCDD toxicity, one would expect to observe an early post-exposure reduction in PC mRNA. To examine the molecular events responsible for the alteration of PC activity in livers of TCDD-treated mice, we designed a synthetic DNA oligonucleotide probe specific for PC mRNA. Northern blot analysis on RNA extracts from hepatic tissue at various times and doses post-TCDD exposure were done. Furthermore, to elucidate the role of the dioxin Ah locus on alterations of PC activity by TCDD, we utilized C57BL/6J (Ahb/b, Ah high TCDD affinity) mice and a congenic (Ahd/d, AH low TCDD affinity) mouse strain. At 8 days post TCDD treatment, a dose-dependent reduction of hepatic PC mRNA levels was observed in Ahb/b mice. The response, reduction in PC mRNA levels, in the Ahb/b strain was about 10-fold greater than that of comparably exposed congenic Ahd/d mice. These results indicate that previously reported reductions in PC activity/level by TCDD treatment of mice is a consequence of a reduction in PC mRNA levels and that the effect requires a competent Ah receptor.