Reproductive impairment in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) after in ovo exposure to o,p'-DDT.
We have previously described various effects in adult Japanese quail consequent on treatment with oestrogenic compounds in ovo. In the present study, the environmental contaminant o,p'-DDT [1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane] was administered to quail eggs to further evaluate test endpoints for oestrogenic effects related to reproduction in the Japanese quail. Exposure to 2 mg o,p'-DDT/egg (150 micro g/g egg) resulted in impaired sexual behaviour, reduced cloacal gland area and lowered plasma testosterone concentration in males. Females displayed oviductal abnormalities, including retained right oviduct, decreased length of left oviduct, alterations in shell gland morphology and disrupted distribution of carbonic anhydrase in the shell gland. Egg laying was severely impaired. Consequently, a number of endpoints in adult quail may be useful for demonstrating an oestrogen-like mode of action by environmental contaminants during embryonic development.
Halldin
Krister
K
Department of Environmental Toxicology, Centre for Reproductive Biology in Uppsala, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18A, Sweden. Krister.Halldin@ebc.uu.se
Holm
Lena
L
Ridderstråle
Yvonne
Y
Brunström
Björn
B
D000818:Animals; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases / Q000378:metabolism; D002988:Cloaca / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003370:Coturnix; D003634:DDT / Q000633:toxicity*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005835:Genitalia / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects; D006066:Gonads / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010057:Oviducts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D013739:Testosterone; D003634:DDT; C016340:o,p'-DDT; D002256:Carbonic Anhydrases