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Limited Accumulation of DDT in Eggs, Fat and Livers of Japanese Quail
Limited Accumulation of DDT in Eggs, Fat and Livers of Japanese Quail W . A . M C B L A I N AND V . LEWIN
Department of Zoology AND F . H. WOLFE
Department of Food Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G2E1,
Canada
(Received for publication March 16, 1973)
POULTRY SCIENCE 53: 84-88, 1974
INTRODUCTION ROM studies in the early 1950's concerned with DDT and metabolite residues in man, it has been suggested that a maximum or plateau level of this pesticide was established in various tissues (Durham, 1969). That is, a maximum or plateau of residues had resulted in the tissues because DDT uptake was equal to or in equilibrium with its metabolism and/or excretion from the tissues. Few studies of this equilibrium have been conducted on wild species (Dustman and Stickel, 1969) although the phenomenon is probably common to most organisms subjected to a constant sublethal intake of the chemical (Durham, 1969). Recent studies employing chickens (Gallus domesticus) have supported this hypothesis of equilibrium by demonstrating a plateau of residue levels in eggs (Cummings et al., 1966; Cecil et al., 1972a, b; Wright et al., 1972) while for Japa-
F
1. The p,p'-DDT [l,l-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2trichloroethane], 99+%, was supplied by the Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc.
nese quail (Cotumix coturnix japonica) this was not observed within the time limits of a similar study (Smith et al, 1969). Also in recent years investigations have been conducted on other aspects of the metabolism of DDT within avian systems (Abou-Donia and Menzel, 1968; Bailey et al., 1969; Ecobichon and Saschenbrecker, 1968; Cecil et al., 1972b; Wright et al, 1972). The conversion of DDT to DDE has been clearly demonstrated in birds, but in spite of discrepancies in reports as to the rate of this conversion it probably does not alone account for the preponderance of DDE found in wild avian forms (Bitman et al, 1969; Cecil et al, 1972b). The conversion of DDT to DDD has at the same time been reported and this conversion may be of underestimated importance in the metabolism of DDT in birds. Further reports have been published which deal with the effects of DDT on avian reproduction under laboratory conditions. These studies have been designed to ascertain what effects DDT might exert on wild avian populations, but results of such investigations have been somewhat variable both among and within species (Cecil et al, 1972b; Lillie et
84
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
ABSTRACT Laying Japanese quail were dosed with 9 mg./kg./day of p,p'-DDT. Levels of residues of p,p'-DDT, DDE and DDD were monitored over 101 days in eggs, omental fat and livers. A plateau of residues was established in eggs and fat after about 6 weeks. Although magnification of residues was also limited in livers, the pattern was less clear. Conversions of the DDT to DDE and DDD were observed, and it is suggested that the conversion to DDD may represent an expedient metabolic and excretory pathway due to its apparently limited distribution in the body. Egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness were not altered during the course of the experiment.
85
DDT ACCUMULATION
Number
120 a 100 a
20
16
12
MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-four Japanese quail were selected from the flock maintained by Bioscience Animal Services of the University of Alberta. All birds were 27-week old laying females and were placed in individual cages exposed to a 14-hour light regime. A commercial turkey starter ration with an adjusted calcium content of 1.78% by weight was fed ad libitum. Thirty-four birds received p,p'-DDT' in gelatin capsules daily at a dose of 9 mg. / kg. The capsules were prepared by evaporation of the insecticide from acetone and the dose quantitated using gas liquid chromatography. Gelatin capsules from which acetone alone had evaporated were administered daily to 10 control birds. The gas liquid chromatograph used for all
of eggs 9
13
10
10
B DDE • DDT
a 80CO
O O
60-
z 40 <
20
0
J§L 10
ft J_
J
J-
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER STUDY INITIATION
90
100
FIG. 1. Mean DDT and DDE residues in eggs of DDT-treated (9 mg./kg./day) Japanese quail by 10 day intervals. Standard deviations and sample sizes are included. Residues are expressed on a wet weight basis.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
al, 1972). Most recent studies, however, involving chickens have concluded that dietary doses of as much as 300 p.p.m. of DDT or DDE have little or no effect on measured reproductive parameters (Cecil et al, 1972a,b; Davison and Sell, 1972) or affect only certain of these parameters (Lillie et al., 1972). Use of Japanese quail as test birds has recently resulted in similar findings (Smith et al., 1969; Cecil et al., 1971; Robson et al, 1971; Nowicki et al, 1972) although contradictions still exist (Kenny et al, 1972). This study was designed to investigate the possibility that a known fixed dose of p,p'DDT could produce the hypothesized plateau level of residues in certain tissues of Japanese quail. At the same time some aspects of the metabolism of DDT were studied and certain reproductive parameters were monitored.
86
W. A. MCBLAIN, V. LEWIN AND F. H. WOLFE 2000
150 r
1900 1800
100
I—
§1700
o 50-
700
i.nllllllJl'll I l l l l l l i
600
£a. a.
500 400
150r
300
100
200
Q
100
0
• III. • .1 I I I I I i I I I I I
150 100
II 111
II , I I I I I L J L J 1 0 20 40 60 80 100 NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER STUDY INITIATION
Q
50-
ll
Jill FIG. 2. Residues of DDT and DDE in omental fat of 17 randomly selected DDT-treated (9 mg./kg./day) Japanese quail sacrificed during the study. Residues are expressed on a lipid weight basis. residue identification and quantitation was a Varian Aerograph model 600. Operating conditions of this instrument as well as the cleanup technique for eggs, livers and uropygial glands were similar to those already described elsewhere (Switzer et al, 1971). Fat samples were cleaned up following the method of Cahill et al. (1970). DDD, when constituting less than 1% of the total residues, was not quantitated. Both DDT-treated and control birds were sacrificed at intervals throughout the study and the metabolic fate of the DDT was in part determined by monitoring DDT and metabolite residues over 101 days in eggs, omental fat and liver tissues. Residues in the uropygial glands of 5 birds sacrificed late in the study were also measured.
ILL
i i_ 0 20 40 60 80 100 NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER STUDY INITIATION
FIG. 3. Residues of DDT, DDE and DDD in livers of all DDT-treated (9 mg./kg./day) Japanese quail sacrificed periodically during the study. Residues are expressed on a wet weight basis. TABLE 1.—Mean DDT and metabolite residues in fat, uropygial glands, last egg before sacrifice and livers of 5 DDT-treated (9mg./kg./day) Japanese quail sacrificed after 81 to 101 days of treatment Tissue residues (p.p.m.) ± SD Chemical
Fat 1
Uropygial gland2
p,p'-DDT 444+126 169±58 DDE 82±31 37±10 DDD 3±1 Total 526±152 209±68
Last egg2 70±24 13±6 83±30
Liver 2 27±12 8±3 15±4 50±18
'Residues expressed on a lipid weight basis. 2 Residues expressed on a wet weight basis. Data concerning the reproductive parameters of egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness were collected over the course of the experiment.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
500t400300200100-
50
87
DDT ACCUMULATION
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
REFERENCES Abou-Donia, M. B., and D. B. Menzel, 1968. The metabolism in vivo of l,l,l-trichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), l,l-dichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) and l,l-dichloro-2,2bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) in the chick by embryonic injection and dietary ingestion. Biochem. Pharmacol. 17: 2143-2161. Bailey, S., P. J. Bunyan, B. D. Rennison and A. Taylor, 1969. The metabolism of l,l-di(pchlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane and l,l-di(pchlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane in the pigeon. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 14: 13-22. Bitman, J., H. C. Cecil, S. J. Harris and G. F. Fries, 1969. DDT induces a decrease in eggshell calcium. Nature, 224: 44-46. Cahill, W. P., B. J. Estesen and G. W. Ware, 1970. A rapid on-column extraction-cleanup method for animal fat. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 5: 70-71. Cecil, H. C , J. Bitman and G. F. Fries, 1972a. Effects of dietary DDT on egg production, egg shell quality and pesticide content in laying hens. Abstract, 163rd ACS National Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. Cecil, H. C , J. Bitman and S. J. Harris, 1971. Effects of dietary p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE on egg production and egg shell characteristics of Japanese quail receiving an adequate calcium diet. Poultry Sci. 50: 657-659. Cecil, H. C , G. F. Fries, J. Bitman, S. J. Harris, R. J. Lillie and C. A. Denton, 1972b. Dietary p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT or p,p'-DDE and changes in eggshell characteristics and pesticide accumulation in egg contents and body fat of caged White Leghorns. Poultry Sci. 51: 130-139. Cummings, J. G., K. T. Zee, V. Turner and F. Quinn, 1966. Residues in eggs from low level feeding of five chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides to hens. J. Ass. Offic. Anal. Chem. 49: 354-364. Davison, K. L., and J. L. Sell, 1972. Dieldrin and p,p'-DDT effects on egg production and egg shell
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
The reproductive parameters of egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness were not altered by the treatment of DDT or the resultant residue buildup in tissues and eggs. Since such findings are already well documented (see Introduction) data will not be presented here. Tissues and eggs of control birds were checked for insecticide residues throughout the study. All contained detectable quantities of p,p'-DDT and metabolites but the mean total residue levels were never more than 1 p.p.m. and probably reflected the presence of the 0.48 p.p.m. of total residues found in the commercial feed. For the DDT-treated birds p,p'-DDT and DDE were present in all samples investigated (Figures 1-3, Table 1) whereas DDD appeared in appreciable quantities only in the livers. According to most tissue deposition studies DDT and DDE are both more subject to circulation and storage in the body than is DDD (Bailey et al, 1969; Cecil et al, 1972b; Wright et al, 1972). Conversion of the DDT to DDD probably occurs in the liver (Bailey et al, 1969) and may therefore represent an expedient route of metabolism and excretion of DDT absorbed from the gut. The residues of p,p'-DDT and its metabolites in eggs and fat of the DDT-treated birds (Figures 1 and 2) indicated that a maximum level of these residues had accumulated after about 6 weeks. Cummings et al. (1966) reported a similar finding in chickens for egg residues while in later studies the plateau seemed to be present after about 9 weeks (Wright et al, 1972), 10 weeks (Cecil et al., 1972a), or 12 weeks (Cecil et al, 1972b). As the magnitude of the observed plateau level apparently varies directly with the dose level (Cummings et al, 1966; Cecil et al, 1972b) so may the time for it to become established. Our data also indicated that a reduction of total residues occurred late in the study.
Variations among individual birds are apparent for both the fat and liver samples (Figures 2 and 3). While it is obvious that a continual magnification of residues does not occur in livers, the pattern of residue buildup is the least clear of those observed. This variability may be influenced by the hepatic portal system and the function of the liver as a metabolic center rather than a storage site or excretory organ alone.
88
W. A. MCBLAIN, V. LEWIN AND F. H. WOLFE
Nowicki, H. G., A. W. Norman and R. G. Wong, 1972. Effects of dietary DDT and PCB on egg shell quality in the laying Japanese quail. Abstract, 163rd ACS National Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. Robson, W. A., G. H. Arscott and I. J. Tinsley, 1971. The effect of DDE on the performance of Coturnix coturnix japonica. Poultry Sci. 50: 1623-1624. Smith, S. I., C. W. Weber and B. L. Reid, 1969. The effect of high levels of dietary DDT on egg production, mortality, fertility, hatchability and pesticide content of yolks in Japanese quail. Poultry Sci. 48: 1000-1004. Switzer, B., V. Lewin and F. H. Wolfe, 1971. Shell thickness, DDE levels in eggs, and reproductive success in common terns (Sterna hirundo), in Alberta. Can. J. Zool. 49: 69-73. Wright, F. C , J. C. Riner and R. L. Younger, 1972. Residues in chickens given DDT. J. Agr. Food Chem. 20: 17-19.
The Effect of Environmental Temperature on Paratyphoid Infection in the Neonatal Chicken12'3 P. THAXTON, R. D. WYATT AND P. B. HAMILTON
Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 (Received for publication March 16, 1973)
ABSTRACT Lowered brooding temperatures increased the level of mortality caused by Salmonella worthington infection in newly hatched chicks. These groups of chicks experienced a fever condition during the early stages of the infection, but in the later stages of infection they had a sub-normal body temperature. The variations in body temperature were paralleled closely by the levels of blood glucose while the yolk sac weights were not changed. In contrast, the chicks brooded at normal temperatures maintained a relatively constant body temperature and blood glucose and experienced the lowest level of mortality. The oral administration of glucose increased the body temperatures of the chicks which were exposed to a cold environment. It was concluded that a normal body temperature is essential for neonatal chickens to resist paratyphoid infections and that carbohydrate metabolism is involved in the physiological regulation of the body temperature. POULTRY SCIENCE 53: 88-94, 1974
INTRODUCTION
T
HE practical importance of temperature in the resistance of chickens to bacterial infection has been recognized since the 1. Paper Number 3999 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina. 2. A preliminary report of this paper was presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1971.
classical demonstration by Pasteur et al. (1878) that the fowl's resistance to anthrax is attributable to its high body temperature. Susceptibility to infection with Salmonella pullorum also is heightened greatly if chicks 3. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station of the product named, nor criticism of similar ones not mentioned.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
thickness of chickens. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 7: 9-18. Durham, W. F., 1969. Body burden of pesticides in man. Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 160: 183-195. Dustman, E . H . , and L. F. Stickel, 1969. The occurrence and significance of pesticide residues in wild animals. Ann. New York Acad. Sci. 160: 162-172. Ecobichon, D. J., and P. W. Saschenbrecker, 1968. Pharmacodynamic study of DDT in cockerels. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 46: 785-794. Kenny, A. D., C. G. Dacke, D. J. Wagstaff, X. J. Masacchiaand W. A. Volkert, 1972. Effects of DDT on calcium metabolism in the Japanese quail. In: Trace Substances in Environmental Health-V. A Symposium, D. D. Hemphill, Ed., University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, pp. 247-255. Lillie, R. J., C. A. Denton, H. C. Cecil, J. Bitman andG. F. Fries, 1972. Effect of p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE on the reproductive performance of caged White Leghorns. Poultry Sci. 51: 122-129.
Department of Zoology AND F . H. WOLFE
Department of Food Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G2E1,
Canada
(Received for publication March 16, 1973)
POULTRY SCIENCE 53: 84-88, 1974
INTRODUCTION ROM studies in the early 1950's concerned with DDT and metabolite residues in man, it has been suggested that a maximum or plateau level of this pesticide was established in various tissues (Durham, 1969). That is, a maximum or plateau of residues had resulted in the tissues because DDT uptake was equal to or in equilibrium with its metabolism and/or excretion from the tissues. Few studies of this equilibrium have been conducted on wild species (Dustman and Stickel, 1969) although the phenomenon is probably common to most organisms subjected to a constant sublethal intake of the chemical (Durham, 1969). Recent studies employing chickens (Gallus domesticus) have supported this hypothesis of equilibrium by demonstrating a plateau of residue levels in eggs (Cummings et al., 1966; Cecil et al., 1972a, b; Wright et al., 1972) while for Japa-
F
1. The p,p'-DDT [l,l-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2trichloroethane], 99+%, was supplied by the Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc.
nese quail (Cotumix coturnix japonica) this was not observed within the time limits of a similar study (Smith et al, 1969). Also in recent years investigations have been conducted on other aspects of the metabolism of DDT within avian systems (Abou-Donia and Menzel, 1968; Bailey et al., 1969; Ecobichon and Saschenbrecker, 1968; Cecil et al., 1972b; Wright et al, 1972). The conversion of DDT to DDE has been clearly demonstrated in birds, but in spite of discrepancies in reports as to the rate of this conversion it probably does not alone account for the preponderance of DDE found in wild avian forms (Bitman et al, 1969; Cecil et al, 1972b). The conversion of DDT to DDD has at the same time been reported and this conversion may be of underestimated importance in the metabolism of DDT in birds. Further reports have been published which deal with the effects of DDT on avian reproduction under laboratory conditions. These studies have been designed to ascertain what effects DDT might exert on wild avian populations, but results of such investigations have been somewhat variable both among and within species (Cecil et al, 1972b; Lillie et
84
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
ABSTRACT Laying Japanese quail were dosed with 9 mg./kg./day of p,p'-DDT. Levels of residues of p,p'-DDT, DDE and DDD were monitored over 101 days in eggs, omental fat and livers. A plateau of residues was established in eggs and fat after about 6 weeks. Although magnification of residues was also limited in livers, the pattern was less clear. Conversions of the DDT to DDE and DDD were observed, and it is suggested that the conversion to DDD may represent an expedient metabolic and excretory pathway due to its apparently limited distribution in the body. Egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness were not altered during the course of the experiment.
85
DDT ACCUMULATION
Number
120 a 100 a
20
16
12
MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-four Japanese quail were selected from the flock maintained by Bioscience Animal Services of the University of Alberta. All birds were 27-week old laying females and were placed in individual cages exposed to a 14-hour light regime. A commercial turkey starter ration with an adjusted calcium content of 1.78% by weight was fed ad libitum. Thirty-four birds received p,p'-DDT' in gelatin capsules daily at a dose of 9 mg. / kg. The capsules were prepared by evaporation of the insecticide from acetone and the dose quantitated using gas liquid chromatography. Gelatin capsules from which acetone alone had evaporated were administered daily to 10 control birds. The gas liquid chromatograph used for all
of eggs 9
13
10
10
B DDE • DDT
a 80CO
O O
60-
z 40 <
20
0
J§L 10
ft J_
J
J-
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER STUDY INITIATION
90
100
FIG. 1. Mean DDT and DDE residues in eggs of DDT-treated (9 mg./kg./day) Japanese quail by 10 day intervals. Standard deviations and sample sizes are included. Residues are expressed on a wet weight basis.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
al, 1972). Most recent studies, however, involving chickens have concluded that dietary doses of as much as 300 p.p.m. of DDT or DDE have little or no effect on measured reproductive parameters (Cecil et al, 1972a,b; Davison and Sell, 1972) or affect only certain of these parameters (Lillie et al., 1972). Use of Japanese quail as test birds has recently resulted in similar findings (Smith et al., 1969; Cecil et al., 1971; Robson et al, 1971; Nowicki et al, 1972) although contradictions still exist (Kenny et al, 1972). This study was designed to investigate the possibility that a known fixed dose of p,p'DDT could produce the hypothesized plateau level of residues in certain tissues of Japanese quail. At the same time some aspects of the metabolism of DDT were studied and certain reproductive parameters were monitored.
86
W. A. MCBLAIN, V. LEWIN AND F. H. WOLFE 2000
150 r
1900 1800
100
I—
§1700
o 50-
700
i.nllllllJl'll I l l l l l l i
600
£a. a.
500 400
150r
300
100
200
Q
100
0
• III. • .1 I I I I I i I I I I I
150 100
II 111
II , I I I I I L J L J 1 0 20 40 60 80 100 NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER STUDY INITIATION
Q
50-
ll
Jill FIG. 2. Residues of DDT and DDE in omental fat of 17 randomly selected DDT-treated (9 mg./kg./day) Japanese quail sacrificed during the study. Residues are expressed on a lipid weight basis. residue identification and quantitation was a Varian Aerograph model 600. Operating conditions of this instrument as well as the cleanup technique for eggs, livers and uropygial glands were similar to those already described elsewhere (Switzer et al, 1971). Fat samples were cleaned up following the method of Cahill et al. (1970). DDD, when constituting less than 1% of the total residues, was not quantitated. Both DDT-treated and control birds were sacrificed at intervals throughout the study and the metabolic fate of the DDT was in part determined by monitoring DDT and metabolite residues over 101 days in eggs, omental fat and liver tissues. Residues in the uropygial glands of 5 birds sacrificed late in the study were also measured.
ILL
i i_ 0 20 40 60 80 100 NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER STUDY INITIATION
FIG. 3. Residues of DDT, DDE and DDD in livers of all DDT-treated (9 mg./kg./day) Japanese quail sacrificed periodically during the study. Residues are expressed on a wet weight basis. TABLE 1.—Mean DDT and metabolite residues in fat, uropygial glands, last egg before sacrifice and livers of 5 DDT-treated (9mg./kg./day) Japanese quail sacrificed after 81 to 101 days of treatment Tissue residues (p.p.m.) ± SD Chemical
Fat 1
Uropygial gland2
p,p'-DDT 444+126 169±58 DDE 82±31 37±10 DDD 3±1 Total 526±152 209±68
Last egg2 70±24 13±6 83±30
Liver 2 27±12 8±3 15±4 50±18
'Residues expressed on a lipid weight basis. 2 Residues expressed on a wet weight basis. Data concerning the reproductive parameters of egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness were collected over the course of the experiment.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
500t400300200100-
50
87
DDT ACCUMULATION
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
REFERENCES Abou-Donia, M. B., and D. B. Menzel, 1968. The metabolism in vivo of l,l,l-trichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), l,l-dichloro-2,2-bis(pchlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) and l,l-dichloro-2,2bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) in the chick by embryonic injection and dietary ingestion. Biochem. Pharmacol. 17: 2143-2161. Bailey, S., P. J. Bunyan, B. D. Rennison and A. Taylor, 1969. The metabolism of l,l-di(pchlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane and l,l-di(pchlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane in the pigeon. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 14: 13-22. Bitman, J., H. C. Cecil, S. J. Harris and G. F. Fries, 1969. DDT induces a decrease in eggshell calcium. Nature, 224: 44-46. Cahill, W. P., B. J. Estesen and G. W. Ware, 1970. A rapid on-column extraction-cleanup method for animal fat. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 5: 70-71. Cecil, H. C , J. Bitman and G. F. Fries, 1972a. Effects of dietary DDT on egg production, egg shell quality and pesticide content in laying hens. Abstract, 163rd ACS National Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. Cecil, H. C , J. Bitman and S. J. Harris, 1971. Effects of dietary p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE on egg production and egg shell characteristics of Japanese quail receiving an adequate calcium diet. Poultry Sci. 50: 657-659. Cecil, H. C , G. F. Fries, J. Bitman, S. J. Harris, R. J. Lillie and C. A. Denton, 1972b. Dietary p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT or p,p'-DDE and changes in eggshell characteristics and pesticide accumulation in egg contents and body fat of caged White Leghorns. Poultry Sci. 51: 130-139. Cummings, J. G., K. T. Zee, V. Turner and F. Quinn, 1966. Residues in eggs from low level feeding of five chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides to hens. J. Ass. Offic. Anal. Chem. 49: 354-364. Davison, K. L., and J. L. Sell, 1972. Dieldrin and p,p'-DDT effects on egg production and egg shell
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ by guest on April 12, 2015
The reproductive parameters of egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness were not altered by the treatment of DDT or the resultant residue buildup in tissues and eggs. Since such findings are already well documented (see Introduction) data will not be presented here. Tissues and eggs of control birds were checked for insecticide residues throughout the study. All contained detectable quantities of p,p'-DDT and metabolites but the mean total residue levels were never more than 1 p.p.m. and probably reflected the presence of the 0.48 p.p.m. of total residues found in the commercial feed. For the DDT-treated birds p,p'-DDT and DDE were present in all samples investigated (Figures 1-3, Table 1) whereas DDD appeared in appreciable quantities only in the livers. According to most tissue deposition studies DDT and DDE are both more subject to circulation and storage in the body than is DDD (Bailey et al, 1969; Cecil et al, 1972b; Wright et al, 1972). Conversion of the DDT to DDD probably occurs in the liver (Bailey et al, 1969) and may therefore represent an expedient route of metabolism and excretion of DDT absorbed from the gut. The residues of p,p'-DDT and its metabolites in eggs and fat of the DDT-treated birds (Figures 1 and 2) indicated that a maximum level of these residues had accumulated after about 6 weeks. Cummings et al. (1966) reported a similar finding in chickens for egg residues while in later studies the plateau seemed to be present after about 9 weeks (Wright et al, 1972), 10 weeks (Cecil et al., 1972a), or 12 weeks (Cecil et al, 1972b). As the magnitude of the observed plateau level apparently varies directly with the dose level (Cummings et al, 1966; Cecil et al, 1972b) so may the time for it to become established. Our data also indicated that a reduction of total residues occurred late in the study.
Variations among individual birds are apparent for both the fat and liver samples (Figures 2 and 3). While it is obvious that a continual magnification of residues does not occur in livers, the pattern of residue buildup is the least clear of those observed. This variability may be influenced by the hepatic portal system and the function of the liver as a metabolic center rather than a storage site or excretory organ alone.
88
W. A. MCBLAIN, V. LEWIN AND F. H. WOLFE
Nowicki, H. G., A. W. Norman and R. G. Wong, 1972. Effects of dietary DDT and PCB on egg shell quality in the laying Japanese quail. Abstract, 163rd ACS National Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts. Robson, W. A., G. H. Arscott and I. J. Tinsley, 1971. The effect of DDE on the performance of Coturnix coturnix japonica. Poultry Sci. 50: 1623-1624. Smith, S. I., C. W. Weber and B. L. Reid, 1969. The effect of high levels of dietary DDT on egg production, mortality, fertility, hatchability and pesticide content of yolks in Japanese quail. Poultry Sci. 48: 1000-1004. Switzer, B., V. Lewin and F. H. Wolfe, 1971. Shell thickness, DDE levels in eggs, and reproductive success in common terns (Sterna hirundo), in Alberta. Can. J. Zool. 49: 69-73. Wright, F. C , J. C. Riner and R. L. Younger, 1972. Residues in chickens given DDT. J. Agr. Food Chem. 20: 17-19.
The Effect of Environmental Temperature on Paratyphoid Infection in the Neonatal Chicken12'3 P. THAXTON, R. D. WYATT AND P. B. HAMILTON
Department of Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 (Received for publication March 16, 1973)
ABSTRACT Lowered brooding temperatures increased the level of mortality caused by Salmonella worthington infection in newly hatched chicks. These groups of chicks experienced a fever condition during the early stages of the infection, but in the later stages of infection they had a sub-normal body temperature. The variations in body temperature were paralleled closely by the levels of blood glucose while the yolk sac weights were not changed. In contrast, the chicks brooded at normal temperatures maintained a relatively constant body temperature and blood glucose and experienced the lowest level of mortality. The oral administration of glucose increased the body temperatures of the chicks which were exposed to a cold environment. It was concluded that a normal body temperature is essential for neonatal chickens to resist paratyphoid infections and that carbohydrate metabolism is involved in the physiological regulation of the body temperature. POULTRY SCIENCE 53: 88-94, 1974
INTRODUCTION
T
HE practical importance of temperature in the resistance of chickens to bacterial infection has been recognized since the 1. Paper Number 3999 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina. 2. A preliminary report of this paper was presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1971.
classical demonstration by Pasteur et al. (1878) that the fowl's resistance to anthrax is attributable to its high body temperature. Susceptibility to infection with Salmonella pullorum also is heightened greatly if chicks 3. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station of the product named, nor criticism of similar ones not mentioned.
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