Continuous ingestion of different chlordecone (kepone) concentrations and changes in quail reproduction

Abstract

To determine the effects of continuous ingestion of different chlordecone concentrations on quail reproduction and mortality, 5‐wk‐old female Japanese quail were fed a diet containing 10, 40, 80, and 760 ppm chlordecone for exactly 250 d. Continuous ingestion of 10–80 ppm chlordecone did not induce excessive mortality or significantly alter reproductive functions. Similar ingestion of 160 ppm chlordecone increased quail mortality, produced a lag in egg production, and affected the normal sequence of egg laying. Increased mortality occurred in quail that either did not initiate egg laying or ceased egg laying completely. Reproductive tracts of dead quail were noticeably reduced and the ovaries atrophied. Quail that continued to ingest the highest chlordecone dose produced significantly more defective eggs, which were either cracked, soft‐shelled, or shell‐less.