- Email: [email protected]
Residues in Eggs and Tissues of Chickens on Rations Containing Low Levels of DDT
Residues in Eggs and Tissues of Chickens on Rations Containing Low Levels of D D T B. J. LISKA, B. E. LANGLOIS,1 G. C. MOSTERT AND W. J. STADELMAN Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind. (Received for publication January 31, 1964)
INTRODUCTION
This research was performed to determine residues of DDT in eggs and tissues of laying hens and tissues of broilers on rations containing DDT in amounts under 1 p.p.m. for various periods of time as might be encountered under accidental feeding of contaminated feeds. PROCEDURES
The following diets were each fed to a different group of seven cross-bred male chicks (Vantress X Arbor Acre). 1. Control (commercial broiler ration). 2. Control + 1 0 % hydrogenated coconut oil + 0.1 p.p.m. DDT. 3. Control + 1 0 % hydrogenated coconut oil + 1.0 p.p.m. DDT. 4. Control + 10% corn oil + 0.1 p.p.m. DDT. 1 Present address: Department of Dairy Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
5. Control + 10% corn oil + 1.0 p.p.m. DDT. About five pounds of feed were used to mix the DDT thoroughly into a premix with a Hobart mixer. The premix was then added to the rest of the feed and mixed for 15 minutes. The control ration and the rations containing 0.1 p.p.m. DDT were fed to chicks for four weeks starting when the chicks were four weeks old. Those rations containing 1 p.p.m. DDT were fed for one week starting when the birds were seven weeks old. All birds were processed at eight weeks of age using commercial processing facilities. Abdominal fat, skin, breast meat, and thigh meat samples were taken from the raw carcasses. All samples were identified by bird number and analyzed by the method reported by Stemp et al. (1964). Eggs from a group of laying hens were checked by the same method to determine if the hens were essentially free of DDT residues. Thirty-five hens laying eggs free of detectable levels of DDT were selected for the experiment. One group of 15 hens was fed a commercial ration with 0.1 p.p.m. DDT added. A second group of 15 hens was fed the same base ration with the addition of 0.5 p.p.m. DDT. A control group of five birds received the base ration with no added DDT. All hens were fed the rations for a 30-day period. Eggs were collected and analyzed for residues. The hens were off the DDT feed one week before they were processed. Samples of abdominal fat, skin, breast, and thigh meat were taken from each bird. Samples were analyzed using the methods of Stemp et al. (1964).
982
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at UCSF Library on April 22, 2015
X J A B E R and Ware (1961) and Ware -*-^* and Naber (1961) reported on lindane residues in eggs and tissues of chickens consuming less than 1 p.p.m. of lindane in the diet. The reports for other chlorinated insecticides have been chiefly on feeding trials in which the diets contained in excess of SO p.p.m. of insecticide to determine toxicity (Marsden and Bird, 1947; and Rubin et al, 1947). There is a lack of information on the residues in eggs and tissues from chickens consuming DDT in the diet at less than 1 p.p.m. concentration. The DDT could be introduced in the ration from alfalfa hay (Draper et al., 1950) or animal fat (Carter et al., 1948).
DDT
983
RESIDUES
TABLE 1.—DDT residues in abdominal jat and other broiler tissues1-2 Sample
Control ration L-ontroi ration
Fat Skin Thigh meat Breast meat
0.2 0.1 <0.1 <0.1
1 2 3 4
C0+OA
PP'm'
D D T ration3
H C 0
+ a l P-P-m- CO+1.0 P-P m - HCO+1.0 p.p.m. DDT ration 4 DDT ration DDT ration 1.0 0.90 0.80 0.70
0.8 0.7 0.7 0.5
2.8 1.3 1.4 0.8
2.30 1.2 1.1 0.9
Average results for four birds per group. p.p.m. of DDE and DDT combined to nearest 0.1 p.p.m. CO indicates 10% corn oil in ration. HCO indicates 10% hydrogenated coconut oil in ration.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The second part of the study was designed to check on the effects of low level DDT consumption on DDT in eggs and tissues of laying hens. Results for fat and eggs are reported in Table 2. The results in Table 2 indicate that 0.1 p.p.m. DDT in the feed for one month would not cause a serious build up of DDT residues in eggs and body fat of laying hens. When 0.5 p.p.m. DDT was present in the feed, the levels of DDT residues in both eggs and fat increased sharply. Whether these levels would increase on longer feeding of a contaminated ration or level off was not determined. It was indicated that one or two lots of DDT contaminated feed would cause DDT residues in both eggs and chicken fat. Results indicated levels of DDT in thigh and breast tissues of laying hens were below 0.1 p.p.m. at either 0.1 p.p.m. DDT or 0.5 p.p.m. DDT in the ration for TABLE 2.—DDT residues in tissues of hens Jed 0.1 p.p.m. and 0.5 p.p.m. DDT in ration1-"*
Sample
Control
Egg yolk Body fat Skin Thigh Breast
<0.1 0.20 0.10 <0.10 <0.10
1
0.1 p.p.m. 0.S p.p.m. DDT DDT ration ration <0.1 0.3 0.2 <0.1 <0.1
1.3 2.6 1.1 0.3 0.2
Average results for four birds from each group. p.p.m. DDE and DDT combined to nearest 0.1 p.p.m. 2
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at UCSF Library on April 22, 2015
Feeding broilers a ration containing 0.1 p.p.m. DDT for four weeks or 1.0 p.p.m. DDT for one week resulted in detectable levels of DDT residue in the fat of the birds. A summary of results on samples from the broilers is presented in Table 1. Two fat sources were included in this study to determine if any differences would be evident due to type of fat in the ration. The birds on a diet with corn oil had slightly lower DDT residues at both DDT levels. With the small number of birds per group, it was not possible to draw conclusions from the data as to whether or not the type of fat influenced the uptake of DDT by the broilers. These results indicate that the DDT is deposited in the fatty tissues of the birds. In all cases, breast meat with the lowest content of fat also had the lowest DDT residue. There was not a proportional increase in DDT residues in the tissues other than fat as the DDT in the ration was increased. As indicated by the results, either 0.1 p.p.m. DDT in the ration for one month or 1.0 p.p.m. in the ration for one week resulted in detectable DDT residues even in meaty tissues of the broilers. This indicates that one lot of feed contaminated with DDT residues, used during the last several weeks prior to marketing, could result in broilers with DDT residues in their tissues.
984
B. J. LISKA, B. E. LANGLOIS, G. C. MOSTERT AND W.
There were higher D D T residues in the fat than in egg yolks which concurs with the findings of Marsden and Bird (1947), Naber and Ware (1961), Rubin et al, (1947), and Ware and Naber (1961). SUMMARY
1. Low levels of D D T in the ration resulted in higher residue levels in broilers than in mature laying hens. This might be explained by the much higher rate of tissue formation in broilers than by the laying hens. 2. One of two lots of D D T contaminated feed using during the last several weeks prior to marketing, could cause contamination of either broilers or laying hens with D D T residues.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This investigation was supported in part by a grant from the American Poultry and Hatchery Federation, Kansas City, Missouri and by PHS Research Grant E F 00049-02 from the Division of Environmental Engineering and Food Protection, U. S. Public Health service. This article has been accepted as Journal Paper Number 2281 of the Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station. REFERENCES Carter, R. H., P. D. Hubanks, H. D. Mann, J. H. Zeller and O. G. Hankins, 1948. The storage of DDT in the tissues of pigs fed beef containing this compound. J. Am. Sci. 7: 509. Draper, C. I., C. Biddulph, D. A. Greenwood, J. R. Jarris, W. Binns and M. L. Miner, 1950. Concentration of DDT in tissues of chickens fed varying levels of DDT in the diet. Poultry Sci. 29: 756. Marsden, S. J., and H. R. Bird, 1947. Effects of DDT on growing turkeys. Poultry Sci. 26: 3-6. Naber, E. C , and G. W. Ware, 1961. Effect of BHC or lindane ingestion on its occurrence in eggs and body tissues. Poultry Sci. 40: 1435. Rubin, M., H. R. Bird, N. Green and R. H. Carter, 1947. Toxicity of DDT to laying hens. Poultry Sci. 26: 410-413. Stemp, A. R., B. J. Liska, B. E. Langlois and W. J. Stadelman, 1964. Analysis of egg yolk and poultry tissue for chlorinated insecticide residues. Poultry Sci. 43: 273-275. Ware, G. W., and E. C. Naber, 1961. Lindane in eggs and chicken tissues. J. Econ. Entomol. 54: 675.
NEWS A N D NOTES (Continued from page 918) Sam Houston State College in 1961, and will re- degree in August 1964, at Oklahoma State. He ceive a M.S. degree in June at the University of plans to continue work towards a Ph.D. degree. Missouri. He will continue work towards a Ph.D. His research work will be in the realm of biodegree. His work, as well as that in other laborachemical mechanisms controlling life. tories, has shown that copper is an essential nuPaul Clement Lague received a B.A. degree at trient for chick and poult growth but no informathe University of Montreal in 1960, and will retion is available on its role in reproduction. His ceive a B.S.A. degree at Laval University this year. proposed research will involve studies of the cop- He will continue work towards a Ph.D. degree. per requirement of the laying hen. His area of study will encompass the physiology of the bird as well as its behaviour. George Brant received a B.S. degree at Oklahoma State University, and will receive a M.S. Maureen Rosina Kent received a B.S.A. degree (Continued on page 1008)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at UCSF Library on April 22, 2015
one month. This is in direct contrast to results obtained on a limited number of broilers where the thigh and breast samples contained D D T residues in concentrations of 0.5 to 1.4 p.p.m. These results indicate that broilers may retain more D D T residues since they are forming new tissue rapidly and their feed consumption in relation to body weight is higher than for the laying hens. It would also seem possible that the laying hen has a mechanism for excreting fat soluble contaminants through the egg yolk whereas the broiler can not effectively excrete these contaminants.
J. STADELMAN
INTRODUCTION
This research was performed to determine residues of DDT in eggs and tissues of laying hens and tissues of broilers on rations containing DDT in amounts under 1 p.p.m. for various periods of time as might be encountered under accidental feeding of contaminated feeds. PROCEDURES
The following diets were each fed to a different group of seven cross-bred male chicks (Vantress X Arbor Acre). 1. Control (commercial broiler ration). 2. Control + 1 0 % hydrogenated coconut oil + 0.1 p.p.m. DDT. 3. Control + 1 0 % hydrogenated coconut oil + 1.0 p.p.m. DDT. 4. Control + 10% corn oil + 0.1 p.p.m. DDT. 1 Present address: Department of Dairy Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
5. Control + 10% corn oil + 1.0 p.p.m. DDT. About five pounds of feed were used to mix the DDT thoroughly into a premix with a Hobart mixer. The premix was then added to the rest of the feed and mixed for 15 minutes. The control ration and the rations containing 0.1 p.p.m. DDT were fed to chicks for four weeks starting when the chicks were four weeks old. Those rations containing 1 p.p.m. DDT were fed for one week starting when the birds were seven weeks old. All birds were processed at eight weeks of age using commercial processing facilities. Abdominal fat, skin, breast meat, and thigh meat samples were taken from the raw carcasses. All samples were identified by bird number and analyzed by the method reported by Stemp et al. (1964). Eggs from a group of laying hens were checked by the same method to determine if the hens were essentially free of DDT residues. Thirty-five hens laying eggs free of detectable levels of DDT were selected for the experiment. One group of 15 hens was fed a commercial ration with 0.1 p.p.m. DDT added. A second group of 15 hens was fed the same base ration with the addition of 0.5 p.p.m. DDT. A control group of five birds received the base ration with no added DDT. All hens were fed the rations for a 30-day period. Eggs were collected and analyzed for residues. The hens were off the DDT feed one week before they were processed. Samples of abdominal fat, skin, breast, and thigh meat were taken from each bird. Samples were analyzed using the methods of Stemp et al. (1964).
982
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at UCSF Library on April 22, 2015
X J A B E R and Ware (1961) and Ware -*-^* and Naber (1961) reported on lindane residues in eggs and tissues of chickens consuming less than 1 p.p.m. of lindane in the diet. The reports for other chlorinated insecticides have been chiefly on feeding trials in which the diets contained in excess of SO p.p.m. of insecticide to determine toxicity (Marsden and Bird, 1947; and Rubin et al, 1947). There is a lack of information on the residues in eggs and tissues from chickens consuming DDT in the diet at less than 1 p.p.m. concentration. The DDT could be introduced in the ration from alfalfa hay (Draper et al., 1950) or animal fat (Carter et al., 1948).
DDT
983
RESIDUES
TABLE 1.—DDT residues in abdominal jat and other broiler tissues1-2 Sample
Control ration L-ontroi ration
Fat Skin Thigh meat Breast meat
0.2 0.1 <0.1 <0.1
1 2 3 4
C0+OA
PP'm'
D D T ration3
H C 0
+ a l P-P-m- CO+1.0 P-P m - HCO+1.0 p.p.m. DDT ration 4 DDT ration DDT ration 1.0 0.90 0.80 0.70
0.8 0.7 0.7 0.5
2.8 1.3 1.4 0.8
2.30 1.2 1.1 0.9
Average results for four birds per group. p.p.m. of DDE and DDT combined to nearest 0.1 p.p.m. CO indicates 10% corn oil in ration. HCO indicates 10% hydrogenated coconut oil in ration.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The second part of the study was designed to check on the effects of low level DDT consumption on DDT in eggs and tissues of laying hens. Results for fat and eggs are reported in Table 2. The results in Table 2 indicate that 0.1 p.p.m. DDT in the feed for one month would not cause a serious build up of DDT residues in eggs and body fat of laying hens. When 0.5 p.p.m. DDT was present in the feed, the levels of DDT residues in both eggs and fat increased sharply. Whether these levels would increase on longer feeding of a contaminated ration or level off was not determined. It was indicated that one or two lots of DDT contaminated feed would cause DDT residues in both eggs and chicken fat. Results indicated levels of DDT in thigh and breast tissues of laying hens were below 0.1 p.p.m. at either 0.1 p.p.m. DDT or 0.5 p.p.m. DDT in the ration for TABLE 2.—DDT residues in tissues of hens Jed 0.1 p.p.m. and 0.5 p.p.m. DDT in ration1-"*
Sample
Control
Egg yolk Body fat Skin Thigh Breast
<0.1 0.20 0.10 <0.10 <0.10
1
0.1 p.p.m. 0.S p.p.m. DDT DDT ration ration <0.1 0.3 0.2 <0.1 <0.1
1.3 2.6 1.1 0.3 0.2
Average results for four birds from each group. p.p.m. DDE and DDT combined to nearest 0.1 p.p.m. 2
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at UCSF Library on April 22, 2015
Feeding broilers a ration containing 0.1 p.p.m. DDT for four weeks or 1.0 p.p.m. DDT for one week resulted in detectable levels of DDT residue in the fat of the birds. A summary of results on samples from the broilers is presented in Table 1. Two fat sources were included in this study to determine if any differences would be evident due to type of fat in the ration. The birds on a diet with corn oil had slightly lower DDT residues at both DDT levels. With the small number of birds per group, it was not possible to draw conclusions from the data as to whether or not the type of fat influenced the uptake of DDT by the broilers. These results indicate that the DDT is deposited in the fatty tissues of the birds. In all cases, breast meat with the lowest content of fat also had the lowest DDT residue. There was not a proportional increase in DDT residues in the tissues other than fat as the DDT in the ration was increased. As indicated by the results, either 0.1 p.p.m. DDT in the ration for one month or 1.0 p.p.m. in the ration for one week resulted in detectable DDT residues even in meaty tissues of the broilers. This indicates that one lot of feed contaminated with DDT residues, used during the last several weeks prior to marketing, could result in broilers with DDT residues in their tissues.
984
B. J. LISKA, B. E. LANGLOIS, G. C. MOSTERT AND W.
There were higher D D T residues in the fat than in egg yolks which concurs with the findings of Marsden and Bird (1947), Naber and Ware (1961), Rubin et al, (1947), and Ware and Naber (1961). SUMMARY
1. Low levels of D D T in the ration resulted in higher residue levels in broilers than in mature laying hens. This might be explained by the much higher rate of tissue formation in broilers than by the laying hens. 2. One of two lots of D D T contaminated feed using during the last several weeks prior to marketing, could cause contamination of either broilers or laying hens with D D T residues.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This investigation was supported in part by a grant from the American Poultry and Hatchery Federation, Kansas City, Missouri and by PHS Research Grant E F 00049-02 from the Division of Environmental Engineering and Food Protection, U. S. Public Health service. This article has been accepted as Journal Paper Number 2281 of the Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station. REFERENCES Carter, R. H., P. D. Hubanks, H. D. Mann, J. H. Zeller and O. G. Hankins, 1948. The storage of DDT in the tissues of pigs fed beef containing this compound. J. Am. Sci. 7: 509. Draper, C. I., C. Biddulph, D. A. Greenwood, J. R. Jarris, W. Binns and M. L. Miner, 1950. Concentration of DDT in tissues of chickens fed varying levels of DDT in the diet. Poultry Sci. 29: 756. Marsden, S. J., and H. R. Bird, 1947. Effects of DDT on growing turkeys. Poultry Sci. 26: 3-6. Naber, E. C , and G. W. Ware, 1961. Effect of BHC or lindane ingestion on its occurrence in eggs and body tissues. Poultry Sci. 40: 1435. Rubin, M., H. R. Bird, N. Green and R. H. Carter, 1947. Toxicity of DDT to laying hens. Poultry Sci. 26: 410-413. Stemp, A. R., B. J. Liska, B. E. Langlois and W. J. Stadelman, 1964. Analysis of egg yolk and poultry tissue for chlorinated insecticide residues. Poultry Sci. 43: 273-275. Ware, G. W., and E. C. Naber, 1961. Lindane in eggs and chicken tissues. J. Econ. Entomol. 54: 675.
NEWS A N D NOTES (Continued from page 918) Sam Houston State College in 1961, and will re- degree in August 1964, at Oklahoma State. He ceive a M.S. degree in June at the University of plans to continue work towards a Ph.D. degree. Missouri. He will continue work towards a Ph.D. His research work will be in the realm of biodegree. His work, as well as that in other laborachemical mechanisms controlling life. tories, has shown that copper is an essential nuPaul Clement Lague received a B.A. degree at trient for chick and poult growth but no informathe University of Montreal in 1960, and will retion is available on its role in reproduction. His ceive a B.S.A. degree at Laval University this year. proposed research will involve studies of the cop- He will continue work towards a Ph.D. degree. per requirement of the laying hen. His area of study will encompass the physiology of the bird as well as its behaviour. George Brant received a B.S. degree at Oklahoma State University, and will receive a M.S. Maureen Rosina Kent received a B.S.A. degree (Continued on page 1008)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at UCSF Library on April 22, 2015
one month. This is in direct contrast to results obtained on a limited number of broilers where the thigh and breast samples contained D D T residues in concentrations of 0.5 to 1.4 p.p.m. These results indicate that broilers may retain more D D T residues since they are forming new tissue rapidly and their feed consumption in relation to body weight is higher than for the laying hens. It would also seem possible that the laying hen has a mechanism for excreting fat soluble contaminants through the egg yolk whereas the broiler can not effectively excrete these contaminants.
J. STADELMAN