Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) liver and thyroid gland histopathology as a result of in ovo exposure to the flame retardants tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and Dechlorane Plus

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2017;80(9):525-531. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1336414. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Abstract

Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were exposed in ovo to tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP; 500 ng/µl), Dechlorane Plus (DP; 500 ng/µl), or a 1:1 mixture of these two to investigate the effects on liver and thyroid gland morphology. Histological examination of 14-day-old quails showed that exposure to TDCIPP or the mixture induced hepatic sinusoidal dilatation. No marked effects were seen for DP alone. In addition, the mixture produced divergence of thyroid gland follicles and proliferation of follicular cells. Our study is the first demonstrating histopathological alterations as a result of exposure during early development to the flame retardants TDCIPP or a TDCIPP-DP mixture suggesting the need for further research efforts to investigate potential adverse health effects associated with exposure to these environmental chemicals in wild birds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Coturnix / growth & development*
  • Flame Retardants / toxicity*
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / toxicity*
  • Liver / drug effects*
  • Ovum / drug effects*
  • Polycyclic Compounds / toxicity*
  • Thyroid Gland / drug effects*

Substances

  • Flame Retardants
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Polycyclic Compounds