Growth and behavioral effects of early postnatal chromium and manganese exposure in herring gull (Larus argentatus) chicks

Abstract

Organisms in marine environments are exposed to chromium and manganese, yet little is known of the effects of these metals on physiology and behavior. In this article we examine the effects of chromium and manganese on early neurobehavioral development in herring gulls, Larus argentatus. Each of 36 2-day-old herring gull chicks was randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups to receive either chromium nitrate (25 mg/kg), manganese acetate (50 mg/kg), or a control dose of sterile saline solution. The trios were not siblings, but were matched by age and weight. Behavioral tests examined food-begging, balance, locomotion, righting response, recognition, thermoregulation, and perception. There were significant differences in begging behavior by 5 days postinjection, and there were significant differences in weight gain throughout development until 50 days of age, when the experiment was terminated. Behavioral tests, administered from 18-48 days postinjection, indicated significant differences between control and the exposed groups for time to right themselves; thermoregulation behavior; and performance on a balance beam, inclined plane, actual cliff, and visual cliff (although not all components varied significantly). Of the 14 behavioral measures with significant differences, control birds performed best on 12.