The toxicity of dieldrin (HEOD) to domestic fowl

Abstract

Domestic fowl were fed control diet or diets containing 10 or 20 pg/g HEOD. Eggs and samples of blood were collected at intervals and the concentration of HEOD was determined. The concentrations of HEOD in body tissues were also determined after 7 and 13 months. Some of the birds died, but the health of the remainder appeared to be unaffected. The hens of the 20 parts/million group showed an increased egg production, but chick mortality in this group was higher than in the other two groups. The dynamics of HEOD in domestic fowl were qualitatively similar to that in other vertebrates and was consistent with the mamillary type compartmental model.

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to aldrin and dieldrin as undesirable substance in animal feed

“…In domestic hens fed 10 or 20 mg dieldrin/kg diet for 13 months (equivalent to 0.6 and 1.2 mg/kg b.w. per day), the highest dose reduced the survival of the hens, increased the number of eggs produced and reduced the chick survival (Brown et al 1974). No effects were found at the lower dose.…”