Effect of DDE, DDT and calcium on the performance of adult Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of DDE, DDT and calcium on performance of quail. The quail received diets containing 0 or 100 p.p.m. of DDE for eight 28-day periods in Exp. 1 and 0, 100 or 300 p.p.m. of DDE or 100 p.p.m of DDT for six periods in Exp. 2. Diets containing either 0.5 or 3% calcium were used with each pesticide level. No differences in egg shell thickness, cracked eggs, egg production, feed consumption, egg weights, female body weights, fertility or hatchability were obtained from DDE or DDT up to 100 p.p.m. Three hundred p.p.m. of DDE did result in a decrease in female body weights and in fertility on the low calcium diet. Egg shell thickness, cracked eggs, egg production and hatchability were affected by the lower calcium level. Male body weights were adversely affected from 100 p.p.m. or more of DDE. Mortality increased as the level of DDE increased for females, while no effect was observed with DDT. Males appeared more sensitive to 100 p.p.m. of DDE in Exp. 1 and 300 p.p.m of DDE and 100 p.p.m. of DDT in Exp. 2. Livability and growth of chicks from hens receiving rations containing DDE AND DDT were unaffected by maternal treatment. In summary, DDE and DDT were without effect on egg shell quality or most other reproductive factors, but DDE at 300 p.p.m. did exert a detrimental effect on adult body weights, fertility and mortality.