title: The biological effects of polybrominated biphenyls in avian species.
abstract: Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), structurally similar to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), affects feed intake, egg production, and hatchability of fertile eggs in chickens and quail. Subcutaneous edema of the neck and shoulder are common abnormalities of hatched chicks from PBB-fed dams. No characteristic teratogenicity is evident. Offspring hatched are less viable during their first 3 weeks of life. PBB does not produce thinner egg shells or lower egg weights. The ratio of PBB egg content to dietary level is 1.3-1.5:1.0. The biological half-life of PBB in eggs is calculated to be 17 days. Tissue residues are higher in males than females because egg production is a major excretory route for PBB. Polybrominated biphenyl feeding causes tissue changes in size, structure and/or function in the liver, thyroid, testes, comb, heart, spleen, bursa of Fabricus, and blood. Liver enlargement, porphyria and microsomal enzyme induction results from PBB administration. The spleen, bursa and comb are reduced in size, whereas the thyroid increases after PBB feeding. A characteristic of PBB and PCB toxicity is hydropericardium and general edema.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000494:pharmacology; D011784:Quail / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls