Antibody Response and Reduction in Bursa of Fabricius and Spleen Weights of Progeny of Chickens Fed PCBs

Abstract

In Experiment 1, polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclors 1016, 1232, 1242, 1248, and 1254) were fed ad libitum to White Leghorn chickens at dietary levels of 5, 10, and 20 p.p.m. for 8 weeks. Hatchability of eggs from hens fed 10 and 20 p.p.m. of Aroclors 1232, 1242, and 1248 was reduced. The weights of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius of day-old chicks from hens fed 10 p.p.m. of Aroclors 1242 and 1248 or 20 p.p.m. of Aroclors 1232, 1242, 1248, and 1254 were less than those of control chicks. Body weights were similar to those of controls at hatching, but the 3 week weight gains of progeny from hens fed 20 p.p.m. Aroclors 1242 and 1248 were less than gains of control progeny. After replacement of the PCB diet with uncontaminated feed, hatchability improved within 2 weeks and by 8 weeks was similar to the hens were fed uncontaminated feed. In Experiment 2, hens were fed 10 p.p.m. 1248 ad libitum for 8 weeks. The progeny bursa weights were reduced, but the treatment did not interfere with interfere with antibody production. PCB treatment had no effect on antibody production after primary or secondary challenges with Brucella abortus. However, after the primary challenge, bursectomized birds of both the control and PCB groups produced significantly fewer antibodies than the nonbursectomized birds. Differential accumulations of the polychlorinated biphenyls occurred in the effs. Chlorinated biphenyls with relative retention times less than that of DDE accumulated to less than one-half of the dietary concentration whereas chlorinated biphenyls with retention times greater than that of DDE accumulated in the eff to a concentration equivalent to the dietary concentration.

Effects of 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphenyl and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin injected into the yolks of double‐crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) eggs prior to incubation

“…However, these chicks had significantly lower body weights than the controls at 2 and 3 weeks posthatch [30]. Additionally, chicks of hens fed either Aroclor 1242 or 1248 had significantly lower body weights at 3 weeks of age, but not at hatch [31]. Therefore, the exposed cormorant hatchlings in the present study may have shown reduced body weight gain compared to the controls had it been possible to raise them for 2 or 3 weeks posthatch.…”

Untitled

“…In studies on reproduction in hens, reduced hatchability of eggs has been found at dietary concentrations of 10 mg/kg and higher of PCB (Aroclors 1232, 1242 or 1248) when fed for six-eight weeks (Britton and Huston, 1973;Harris et al, 1976). After replacement of the PCB diet with uncontaminated feed, the reduced hatchability gradually disappeared.…”

Immunotoxicity of carcinogenic pesticides and related chemicals

“…Serum titers to SRBC, tetanus toxin, Pseudorabies virus and DNP-Ficoll were suppressed in mice, monkeys, rabbits and/or guinea pigs exposed to PCDD or PCB either perinatally (61,161) or as adults (79,94,177). In contrast, several studies have also reported that sérum antibody titers to SRBC, Downloaded by [Monash University Library] at 13:43 12 April 2015 bovine gamma globulin (BGG), tetanus toxoid or Bruceila abortus were not altered by exposure of mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, monkeys, chickens and/or cattle to PCDD or PCB (33,39,57,116,155,161,162).…”