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Title: EFFECTS OF ATRAZINE ON SEXUAL MATURATION IN FEMALE JAPANESE QUAIL INDUCED BY PHOTOSTIMULATION OR EXOGENOUS GONADOTROPIN

Author
item WILHELMS, KELLY - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item CUTLER, SARA - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item Proudman, John
item ANDERSON, LLOYD - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item SCANES, COLIN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2005
Publication Date: 1/9/2006
Citation: Wilhelms, K.W., Cutler, S.A., Proudman, J.A., Anderson, L.L., Scanes, C.G. 2006. Effects of atrazine on sexual maturation in female japanese quail induced by photostimulation or exogenous gonadotropin. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 25(1):233-240.

Interpretive Summary: Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States, and it has recently gained attention for its reported effects on reproduction in amphibians. Wild birds may be exposed to significant amounts of atrazine in the spring, when they are undergoing stimulation of the reproductive system due to increasing daylength. In this study, the effects of atrazine on a model bird species, the Japanese quail, were studied at the time of sexual maturation induced by increased daylength. In addition, we studied possible effects of atrazine on birds given exogenous hormones to mimic the reproductive hormone changes that occur naturally. The results showed that, while dietary intake of high levels of atrazine had some effect on growth and feed intake, the herbicide did not exhibit any overt anti-estrogenic activity and did not influence reproductive development due to exogenously administered hormones. These studies suggest that sexually developing birds appear to be less sensitive to the reproductive effects of atrazine than mammals. This information may be useful to farmers and regulators in assessing the safety of this herbicide.

Technical Abstract: The herbicide atrazine has gained recent attention for its reported effects on reproduction in amphibians. The present study examined the putative effects of atrazine during sexual maturation in the photostimulated female Japanese quail. Furthermore, the effects of atrazine on birds administered exogenous gonadotropin (pregnant mare serum gonadotropin [PMSG]) were investigated. Atrazine (up to 1,000 ppm) was administered in the diet to female quail undergoing photoperiodically induced sexual maturation. At high dietary concentrations, atrazine exhibits signs of overt toxicity with reductions in growth, feed intake and liver weights, but these effects were dependent on the timing of treatment administration. Atrazine did not influence the weights of reproductive tissues (ovary and oviduct) or circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH). However, high concentrations of atrazine depressed circulating concentrations of estradiol. Treatment with atrazine for 4 weeks during sexual maturation inhibited growth but did not affect any other parameter assessed (feed intake, liver, ovary or oviduct weights or the circulating concentrations of LH and estradiol). In birds receiving daily injections of PMSG, atrazine reduced growth, feed intake and liver weights. However, PMSG-induced gonadal and oviduct growth were not affected by atrazine. It is concluded that high concentrations of dietary atrazine may exhibit some reproductive toxicity during sexual maturation in the female quail.