Phthalate diversity in eggs and associations with oxidative stress in the European herring gull (Larus argentatus)

Abstract

Phthalates are plastic-derived contaminants that are ubiquitous in natural environments and function as pro-oxidants. The extent to which phthalates bioaccumulate in wild animals and associations with oxidative stress are poorly understood. Here, we describe relationships between maternally-derived phthalates, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) and the dietary antioxidant α-tocopherol in eggs of European herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in Cornwall, UK. Up to six phthalate parent compounds and four phthalate metabolites were detected. Egg concentrations of MDA were positively associated with dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) and negatively associated with α-tocopherol, suggesting that DCHP is associated with oxidative stress in gulls. The consequences of phthalate exposure in ovo for offspring development warrants study.