Effect of chlorinated hydrocarbons on reproductive performance of adult White Leghorn male chickens

Abstract

Two experiments of 20 and 40 weeks duration were conducted to determine the effects of feeding dieldrin or PCB (Aroclor 1254) on the reproductive performance of adult White Leghorn males. Dieldrin at the levels used (0, 25, and 50 ppm) produced no significant changes in semen volume, semen concentration, fertility, and hatchability of fertile eggs. Mortality increased with increased levels of dieldrin and appeared related to duration of exposure to the pesticide. A significant reduction (P less than .05) in feed consumption was observed at the 25 ppm level. No significant differences in body weights were observed except shortly before death when marked reductions in both feed consumption and body weight were noted. PCB at the levels used (0, 10, 20, and 40 ppm) produced no differences in fertiluty, hatchability of fertile eggs, body weights, feed consumption, or mortality. However, over a period of 40 weeks, PCB significantly (P less than .05) reduced semen volume, semen concentrations, and testes weights,