Selzsam B, Grote K, Gericke C, Niemann L, Wittfoht W, Chahoud I. Effects of methyltestosterone on reproduction in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2005;
99:327-34. [PMID:
16307974 DOI:
10.1016/j.envres.2005.04.001]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2004] [Revised: 02/23/2005] [Accepted: 04/07/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the hormone-mediated effects of the synthetic androgenic hormone methyltestosterone (MT) are well characterized in mammals, little is known about endocrine and other toxic effects on reproduction in birds. In a one-generation study, MT was administered to adult Japanese quail (12 pairs per group) at dietary dose levels of 0, 10, 50, and 110 ppm for a period of 3 weeks. Reproductive performance was severely affected in the groups receiving 50 and 110 ppm MT. In females, the egg-laying rate was reduced not only related to the dose administered but also to the duration of treatment. The administration of 110 ppm, and to a lesser extent, of 50 ppm MT resulted in an immediate and dramatic decrease in the total number of eggs laid, which complicated reliable assessment of other reproduction-related parameters. In males, the findings suggested inhibition of spermatogenesis at dose levels of 50 ppm and above, resulting in a subsequent reduction in male fertility.
Collapse