Behavioral response and gene expression changes in fipronil-administered male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khalil, Samah R.; Awad, Ashraf; Mohammed, Hesham H.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 223(2017)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Aggressive behavior -- Estrogen receptor α -- Fipronil -- Japanese quail -- Sexual behavior -- Vitellogenin; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Fipronil is an important member of the phenylpyrazole group of insecticides and is widely used for various crops and vegetables to control insects, thereby exposing birds, animals, and humans to fipronil. Currently, there is limited information on the effects of fipronil exposure in Japanese quail. Therefore, our aim was to assess the reproductive toxicological effects of fipronil in the Japanese quail in a 15-day gavage study and then its recovery over a period of 60 days. Fipronil-administration led to significant losses in both feed intake and body weight. Whereas, the gonadosomatic index was not affected, and histological changes observed in the testes were reversible, particularly by day 45 and day 60 of recovery. Cloacal gland atrophy, reduced foam quantity and a reduction in fertility, sexual and aggressive behaviors, and serum testosterone with elevated estradiol (E2) hormone levels were also observed. All these changes gradually reversed during various recovery periods. Further, alterations in hepatic vitellogenin (Vtg) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene expression, assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, were also observed. Specifically, ERα1 was induced after fipronil administration, while the Vtg transcript was elevated during both exposure and recovery periods. Our results showed that fipronil exposure has a profound negative influence on reproductive traits in the male Japanese quail and exhibits an estrogenic activity that can raise the incidence of infertility in males. Nevertheless, most of the changes could be reversed after a recovery period of 30–45 days. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Fipronil exposure has a profound negative influence on reproductive traits in the male Japanese quail. Fipronil induced alterations in hepatic vitellogenin (Vtg) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) gene expression. Fipronil exhibited an estrogenic potency that can raise the incidence of infertility in males. Most of the changes could be reversed after a recovery period of 30–45 days. Abstract : Fipronil has a profound negative influence on reproductive traits in the male quail and exhibits an estrogenic activity. Most of the changes could be reversed after a recovery period of 30–45 days.