Effects of bisphenol A and tetrabromobisphenol A on sex organ development in quail and chicken embryos.
The plastic monomere bisphenol A (BPA) and the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were examined for estrogen-like developmental effects on the reproductive organs in avian embryos. The synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) was used as a positive control. The test compounds were injected into the yolk of quail and chicken eggs early during incubation and the embryos were examined 2 d before anticipated hatching. At 200 microgram/g egg, BPA induced Müllerian duct (embryonic oviduct) malformation in female quail embryos and feminization of the left testis (ovotestis) in male chicken embryos. The estrogenic potency of BPA compared with DES was species and endpoint specific. Müllerian duct malformation was the most sensitive endpoint in quail embryos, whereas ovotestis formation was the most sensitive response in chicken embryos. Tetrabromobisphenol A caused high embryo mortality at 45 microgram/g egg in both species, but no estrogen-like effects were observed. Bisphenol A caused mortality only in chicken embryos at 67 and 200 microgram/g egg. To our knowledge, this is the first report on estrogen-like or embryolethal effects of BPA and TBBPA in birds.
Berg
C
C
Department of Environmental Toxicology, Evolutionary Biology Center, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Halldin
K
K
Brunström
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003370:Coturnix; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D009095:Mullerian Ducts / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D010053:Ovary / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D010636:Phenols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D010636:Phenols; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C020806:tetrabromobisphenol A; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds