Cardiovascular and hematological parameters affected by feeding various polychlorinated biphenyls to the single comb white leghorn cockerel.

Abstract

The effect of dietary PCBs (50–200 ppm) on some cardiovascular and hematological parameters in the SCWL cockerel was investigated. Heart rate was significantly reduced by PCB 1242 and 1254 at ≥100 ppm and was not altered by PCB 1221 or 1260 at 150 ppm. A significant decrease in arterial blood pH was observed with PCB 1254 at 150 ppm. Mean blood pressure was unaffected by any treatment used. Hemoglobin concentration, HCT, and total erythrocyte count were found to be significantly decreased by PCBs 1242 and 1254 at ≥50 ppm. These same parameters were not affected by PCB 1221 or 1260 at any level used. It was concluded that the anemia observed was due solely to a decrease in total erythrocyte concentration. The possibility that these changes may be due to a decrease in erythropoiesis is discussed. Pericardial fluid volume was increased with PCBs 1242 and 1254; however, there was no correlation between the magnitude of the bradycardia and the amount of pericardial fluid.