Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on reproduction in Japanese quail

Our research has focused on effects in adult birds after embryonic estrogen exposure. We have studied sexual behavior and other reproductive variables in adult quail after in ovo injection of known and suspected estrogenic compounds. Synthetic estrogens and insecticides, such as o,p′-DDT altered the development of the neural system and resulted in demasculinization of male quail. In females, o,p′-DDT caused morphological changes of the oviduct and egg laying was reduced. Our studies suggest that the neural system and the female reproductive system of avian embryos are very sensitive to the effects of chemicals with estrogenic activity.