Developmental toxicity of PFOS and PFOA in great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), herring gull (Larus argentatus) and chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are found globally in environmental samples and have been studied in various species. In this study, we compare the sensitivity of three avian species to the toxic effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA). Eggs of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), herring gull (Larus argentatus) and the domestic White Leghorn chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) were exposed in ovo by injection into the air sac. Effects on embryo survival were observed following exposure to PFOS and PFOA in chicken and herring gull. Chicken was found to be the most sensitive species with 50 % reduced embryo survival at 8.5 μg/g egg for PFOS and 2.5 μg/g egg for PFOA. Cormorant was shown to be the least sensitive species. The difference in sensitivity between chicken and herring gull was a factor of 2.7 for PFOS and 3.5 for PFOA. Between chicken and great cormorant, the sensitivity difference was 2.6 for PFOS and 8.2 for PFOA. Effects on embryo survival were seen at egg injection doses of PFOS close to levels found in environmental samples from wild birds, indicating that PFOS could be having effects in highly exposed populations of birds. This study also shows that there are differences in species sensitivity to PFOS and PFOA that should be taken into consideration in avian wildlife risk assessment.

Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate on genes controlling hepatic fatty acid metabolism in livers of chicken embryos

“…A better understanding of species-specific effects of PFAS and the doses at which they occur is important when considering both acceptable levels of these compounds in the environment and safe exposure levels for persons with occupational contact with PFAS. Although we did not directly measure hepatic liver PFOS concentrations, similarly designed previous studies have shown these concentrations are approximately equivalent to the administered dose at the time point we measured (Nordén et al 2016 ; O'Brien et al 2009 ). As these concentrations are comparable to those found in environmental analyses of wild birds, it is important that future studies are done to determine whether similar effects are seen in these species, and whether chicken can continue to be used as a model for environmental exposure.…”

“…Treatments were done as previously described by Nordén et al ( 2016 ). Fertilised, unincubated eggs from White Leghorn chicken ( Gallus gallus ) were purchased from Ova Production, Vittinge, Sweden and kept at 10–12 °C until incubation.…”

“…A study of eggs and developing embryos of the great cormorant and herring gull showed PFOS concentrations in the μg/g wet weight in whole egg and liver (Nordén et al 2013 ). Studies of the effects of environmentally comparable concentrations of PFOS on development of White Leghorn chicken showed reduced embryo survival, significant immunological, neurological and morphological changes in treated embryos compared to controls (Nordén et al 2016 ; Peden-Adams et al 2009 ). PFOS-induced immunotoxicity has been noted in various species at environmentally relevant doses (DeWitt et al 2012 ), and has the potential to impact the fitness of wild species, particularly if faced with environmental challenges such as infection.…”

Assessing the Ecological Risks of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Current State-of-the Science and a Proposed Path Forward

“…observed in these studies. Somewhat analogously, studies with PFOA, PFHxA, PFHxS and F-53B in chicken embryos did not demonstrate expected structure-toxicity relationships based on pipping success, developmental endpoints, and thyroid hormone levels (Cassone et al 2012a;Nordén et al 2016;Briels et al 2018). Thus, while the egg injection model can provide insight into the mechanistic aspects to PFAS effects on reproductive and developmental processes (Stromqvist et al 2012;Jiang et al 2013;Mattsson et al 2015;Jacobsen et al 2018;Geng et al 2019), additional in vivo studies are needed to better understand their relationship to other endpoints including potential effects on the adult birds, including impacts on egg quality, male fertility, and parental behavior during and after hatch (Heinz et al 2006).…”

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in two different populations of northern cardinals

“…Thus, it is possible that birds with PFOS serum levels lower than 154 ng/mL may also experience adverse immunological effects. More research is needed on PFOS immunotoxicity in cardinals because there may be speciesspecific differences in toxicokinetics (Norden et al, 2016). Immunosuppression in cardinals may pose problems for human health since cardinals are known to be reservoirhosts of West Nile virus (Levine et al, 2013;Komar et al, 2005;Shelite et al, 2008).…”