Emphasis Type="Italic"In Ovo/Emphasis Exposure

Authors: K W Wilhelms K F Fitzpatrick C G Scanes L L Anderson

Publish Date: 2006/01/17

Volume: 51, Issue: 1, Pages: 117-122

PDF Link

Abstract

The triazine herbicide atrazine has come under scrutiny for its reported feminizing effects in amphibians To date there is little information concerning the effects of atrazine on reproduction in avian species The current study examined the putative reproductive toxicity of atrazine after exposure in ovo Atrazine at 504 246 and 123 μg/kg was administered to Japanese quail eggs before incubation The eggs were hatched and the birds raised to 14 days of age Indices of hatchability sex ratios and growth were determined Furthermore circulating concentrations of reproductive hormones estradiol progesterone and testosterone and gonadal histology were examined Atrazine at 504 μg/kg decreased 14day hatchling weight by 131 versus controls However no detrimental effects on hatchability or sex ratios were observed In female birds atrazine at 504 μg/kg decreased ovarian weights and circulating concentrations of progesterone to 483 and 733 respectively versus control However concentrations of estradiol and testosterone did not differ from controls In male quail at all doses tested atrazine had no effect on gonadal weights or circulating concentrations of estradiol testosterone or progesterone Moreover no incidences of left ovotestis formation were observed In contrast 10 ng/kg ethinylestradiol a positive control induced the formation of a left ovotestis in four of eight birds analyzed The current results may suggest that exposure to atrazine in ovo at concentrations above ecologic relevance exerts effects on the reproductive system of young Japanese quail However no evidence is presented that atrazine induces feminization of the testis in male quail

Keywords: