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Induction of Apparent Hyperthyroidism in Birds fed DDT

Nature volume 222, pages 578–579 (1969)Cite this article

Abstract

IN an experiment designed to examine the effects of DDT on avian reproduction, 102 Bengalese finches, Lonchura striata, were given pp′DDT diets for 6 weeks before pairing. Another forty-two birds were maintained as controls. The DDT diets were continued after pairing and the breeding success of each pair recorded for correlation with the pp′DDT intake. These results will be reported elsewhere. After fledging their first brood (about 9 weeks after pairing) the adults were killed and dissected. Twenty pairs, however, were allowed to lay a second clutch which was removed and the eggshells examined. Ratcliffe1 has reported a recent decrease in the weight of eggshells of the peregrine Falco peregrinus and sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, and suggested that pp′DDT may disturb the calcium metabolism of birds. My experiments provided a possible test for this theory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon

    D. J. JEFFERIES

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  1. D. J. JEFFERIES
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JEFFERIES, D. Induction of Apparent Hyperthyroidism in Birds fed DDT. Nature 222, 578–579 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1038/222578a0

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