Mergamma DB and phenylmercuric acetate: their effect on the reproduction of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica Temminck and Schlegel).

Abstract

A commercial seed fungicide–insecticide, Mergamma DB, and one of its constituents, phenylmercuric acetate, were fed to Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the laboratory. Five levels of mercury (1.25, 2.50, 12.50, 25.00, and 50.00 ppm) mixed with laying meal were fed to birds during four 16-week experiments. Survival of female quail, egg production, and egg weight were significantly reduced at 50 ppm mercury (Mergamma DB as mercury source). Fertility, embryo viability, and hatchability were each significantly reduced at levels of 12.5 ppm mercury for both mercury compounds. Results showed that the Mergamma DB treatments produced more pronounced reproductive failure than phenylmercuric acetate. Breast muscle from treated birds and egg con tents contained significantly higher levels of mercury residue than in control birds, up to a maximum of 8.9 ppm in tissue and 2.3 ppm in eggs. Accumulation of mercury in male birds may have contributed to the significant decline m fertility of treated birds. Possible serious environmental implications of mercury seed treatments are discussed.