Chorioallantoic membranes indicate avian exposure and biomarker responses to environmental contaminants: a laboratory study with White Leghorn chickens (Gallus domesticus)

Environ Sci Technol. 2003 Jan 15;37(2):256-60. doi: 10.1021/es0257873.

Abstract

PCB and endosulfan concentrations in the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of white leghorn chickens (Gallus domesticus) were evaluated as indicators of hepatic cytochrome P450 isozyme activity in hens and chicks as well as toxicant concentrations in eggs and hens. Sixteen hens were randomly divided into four groups of four and dosed with a mixture of PCB105 (2,3,3',4,4'-pentachlorobiphenyl), PCB156(2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl), PCB189 (2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl), and technical grade endosulfan (3:1 ratio of alpha and beta isomers) at three different dose groups. The first 10 fertile eggs laid by each hen were collected, the even-numbered eggs incubated until hatched, and the odd numbered eggs were analyzed for test chemicals. Strong (r2), significantly positive (p value) relationships were found between total PCB mass (ng) in CAMs and both total PCB concentrations (ng/g wet wt) in adults (r2 = 0.91, p = 0.0001) and eggs (r2 = 0.87, p = 0.0001). The relationship between total PCB mass in CAMs and hepatic cytochrome p450 isozyme activity in chicks (r2 = 0.49, p = 0.0001) and hens (r2 = 0.45, p = 0.014) was also significant but not as strong. This study shows that CAMs can be used to estimate avian exposure to PCBs and resultant biological response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Chickens
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / analysis
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / pharmacology
  • Eggs
  • Endosulfan / pharmacokinetics*
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Female
  • Insecticides / pharmacokinetics*
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / pharmacokinetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Insecticides
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Endosulfan