Effect of polychlorinated biphenyls on drug metabolism in Japanese quail and its progeny

Polychlorinated biphenyl effects on avian hepatic enzyme induction and thyroid function

“…It is possible that by 21 days after dosing, enough of the dose may have been metabolized and excreted that the effects of PCBs were reduced compared to five days after dosing. Other studies have shown that PCBs cause liver hypertrophy in birds (Elliott et al, 1997;Fowles et al, 1997;Riviere et al, 1978), which is consistent with my results after five days of exposure to the higher dose.…”

“…However, there have been no studies in which the links between PCB exposure, UDP-GT induction and thyroid function have been addressed in birds using a validated, T 4 -specific UDP-GT assay. Increased avian UDP-GT activity and increased liver weight have been shown in response to PCBs in one other study (Riviere et al, 1978). However, the assay used in that study used a substrate, pNP, that is glucuronidated by almost all UDP-GT isozymes.…”

“…In a field study on common tern chicks (Sterna hirundo), there were no significant differences in UDP-GT activity or in T 4 concentrations in embryos in which the highest PCB concentration in yolksacs was 6.4 times higher than the lowest (Murk et al, 1994). In contrast, a laboratory study showed that Phenochlor, a PCB mixture, with an oral dose of 5 mg/bird/day for 40 days, increased UDP-GT activity in adult Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica; Riviere et al, 1978). In a study in our laboratory, chicken embryos (Gallus domesticus) were exposed in ovo to PCB 77 (0.64 ng/g egg) or PCB 126 (up to 0.80 ng/g egg), both dioxin-like PCBs.…”

“…A laboratory study on adult Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) showed that Phenochlor, a PCB mixture, increased UDP-GT activity (Riviere et al, 1978). Likewise, in another study on adult Japanese quail (Elliott et al, 1997), it was found that Aroclor 1254 induced activity of a phase I biotransformation enzyme (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase; EROD).…”

Liver aryl 4‐monooxygenase activity in the progeny of hens receiving dietary polychlorinated biphenyls

“…This has also been demonstrated in some species of birds (Bailey and Bunyan, 1972;Nowicki and Norman, 1972). Riviere et al (1978) found an induction of microsomal hepatic enzymes in Japanese quail and their progeny.…”