[Effects of herbicides (Gramoxone and Defenuron) on the development and protein levels of quail (Coturix coturix japonica)].

The herbicides Gramoxone (active substance paraquat dichloride) and Defenuron (active principle N-phenyl-N'-methylurea) were studied as influencing the development of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and the proteins in their blood serum. The aqueous solution of Gramoxone (500 ppm), applied to the egg surface, reduces the hatchability percentage and delays hatching. Under similar conditions, Defenuron has no inhibitory effect on embryonal development. Gramoxone in drinking water (100 ppm) causes 100% mortality of young quail within a week's time whereas the same amount of Defenuron does not affect the vitality of the birds. Sublethal concentrations of Gramoxone in drinking water (40 ppm) cause great quantitative changes in the proteinogram of the blood serum of the birds. The herbicide Defenuron does not influence the proteinogram even at a concentration of 100 ppm of the active substance in drinking water.