Helene C. Cecil

DDT induces a decrease in eggshell calcium.

Japanese quail fed o,p′, and p,p′-DDT produced eggs with thinner shells and lower calcium content than usual.

Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects in unhatched fertile eggs from hens fed polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

SummaryThe PCBs tested with caged White Leghorn hens were ‘Aroclors 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254, 1268, 5442 and BP-6’, fed at the 20 ppm level. In addition, 1242, 1248 and 1254 were also fed at the 2 ppm level. Feeding 20 ppm ‘Aroclors 1232, 1242, 1248 and 1254’ reduced hatchability and caused teratogenic effects in the embryos. The most common abnormalities found in the unhatched embryos were edema and unabsorbed yolk. Since ‘Aroclors 1221 and 1268’ did not adversely affect embryonic development, adverse effects of the PCBs were not directly related to the degree of chlorination of the biphenyls, or to the amount of total residue.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl-induced Decrease in Liver Vitamin A in Japanese Quail and Rats

Summary‘Aroclor 1242’ (PCB) or DDT increased liver weight and lipids and decreased liver vitamin A of male and female rats or male Japanese quail. Laying female quail did not show consistent changes, presumably due to mobilization of lipid and vitamin A for egg yolk. When egg laying was inhibited, PCB reduced liver vitamin A 50%. ‘Aroclor 1242’ reduced egg production, but had no effect on egg weight or eggshell thickness.

Retention and excretion of polybrominated biphenyls by hens

ConclusionsThe retention and elimination of PBB by hens are qualitatively similar to those of PCBs and chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides. Steady-state level in eggs was about the same as the level in the diet, and after 63 days the level in body fat was about 4 times the level in diet.The FDA action levels for PBB are 0.05 ppm in eggs and 0.3 ppm in fat. Residues in meat and eggs should not exceed the action levels if the diet level is below 0.05 ppm. Feed consumption and egg production decrease slightly when we fed 20 ppm (LILLieet al., 1974), but effects would not likely be detectable if the diet contained only 0.05 ppm.

Inhibition of estrogen-induced glycogen synthesis in the rat uterus by cycloheximide

Abstract The sequence of changes occurring in the uterus with estrogen, estrogen and cycloheximide, and cycloheximide alone was studied. Cycloheximide (actidione) or estradiol caused an increase in uterine water, weight, and free glucose. Sixteen hours after estrogen administration the uterine glycogen had increased 5-fold. When a single dose of actidione was administered 30 minutes before estradiol, glycogen synthesis was suppressed for the first 8 hours, after which estrogen stimulated glycogen synthesis. Three doses of actidione, at 30 minutes before, 5 1 2 and 10 1 2 hours after estradiol, were necessary to completely suppress the glycogen synthesis for 16 hours. The influence of cycloheximide on glycogen synthesis after it had been initiated was studied by administering actidione after estrogen. Complete suppression occurred when actidione was administered 1 1 2 hours after estrogen and only partial suppression at 2 1 2 hours, and actidione was ineffective when administered 4 hours after estradiol. Consequently, there was an initial period of about 3 hours after estrogen treatment during which the glycogen synthetic system could be inhibited by cycloheximide. After this time, the presence of cycloheximide was unable to suppress glycogen synthesis.

A comparison of DDT and methoxychlor accumulation and depletion in sheep

Notwithstanding their similarities in chemical structure, DDT and methoxychlor differ appreciably in the extent to which they accumulate in animal tissues. While this difference has been recognized since at least 1950 (LEHMAN 1950), no direct comparison has ever been reported of DDT and methoxychlor residues in a meat animal species. To make such a comparison in the sheep was the objective of this study.

Effects of nonpersistent pesticides on liver weight, lipids and vitamin A of rats and quail

The effects of persistent pesticides on l iver l ip ids and vitamin A have been characterized. Repeated exposure of rats to DDT results in degenerative changes in l iver tissue, an increase in l iver size, and an increase in l i ver l ip ids. PHILLIPS (1963) and TINSLEY (1969) have also shown that DDT decreases u t i l i za t ion of carotene and l iver storaqe of vitamin A in rats and cattle. We recently reported that DDT or polychlorinated biphenyl (Aroclor 1242) fed to rats or ,Japanese quail produced an increase in liver weight and liver lipids and a decrease in liver vitamin A (CECIL et al. 1973).

Effect of cycloheximide (actidione) on the glycogen content of the rat uterus

Abstract Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, stimulated glycogen synthesis in the rat uterus. Doses of 0.25–1.0 mg of cycloheximide administered to fasted and fed ovariectomized rats resulted in a 60% increase in uterine glycogen in 4 1 2 hours and a 100% increase in 15–19 hours. Cycloheximide also induces a marked loss of glycogen from the liver. Blood and uterine glucose levels were elevated and uterine water and weight increased as a consequence of cycloheximide treatment. These observations suggest that the increase in the availability of the substrate glucose, in the uterus, stimulated glycogen synthesis.

Mechanism of estrogen action in glycogen synthesis

Abstract Estrogen treatment produced a rapid increase in the free-glucose concentration of the rat uterus. Comparison of the expansion of the glucose space with the expansion of the chloride space (used as an index of extracellular volume) revealed that glucose accumulated in intracellular water. Similar endogenous glucose transport shifts were produced by estrogen in both normoglycemic and alloxan-treated hyperglycemic rats.

Serum testosterone concentration during two breeding cycles of turkeys with low and high ejaculate volumes

Abstract Serum testosterone, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm per ejaculate were followed from 24 to 80 weeks of age in Large White breeder turkeys. Blood was collected immediately after the weekly semen collection and serum testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay. Males were classified as low semen producers (LSP; ejaculate volume .50 ml). Semen production, which had started in all males at 28 weeks of age, stopped at 57 ± 2.4 and 62 ± 1.6 weeks, and resumed at 72 ± 0.2 and 71 ± 0.6 weeks (mean ± SEM) for LSP and HSP, respectively. Semen production (volume, concentration, and total sperm) of the second cycle was comparable to that of the first cycle. However, serum testosterone ranged from