Egg Immersion Research Articles

TOXICITY OF Argemone mexicana (L.) EXTRACTS AND IMIDACLOPRID ON Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens)

In sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivation, the main pest is the sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner (Hemiptera: Aphididae)). The insecticide imidacloprid is frequently used to control this insect, and in some cases, it is complemented with the release of lacewings of the species Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). The insecticide has been shown to be harmful to non-target insects, such as the natural enemies of this aphid, so it is necessary to find other less harmful products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of aqueous and oily extracts of chicalote (Argemone mexicana L.) on C. carnea and to contrast it with that of imidacloprid, with the hypothesis that extracts of A. mexicana applied to the developmental stages of C. carnea generate less mortality on the predator than imidacloprid. The aqueous and oily extracts had a concentration of 30 g L-1. For imidacloprid, the recommended dose for sugarcane aphid control (0.35 g L-1) was used. Mortality and the treatments effect were evaluated by exposure methods: T1) topical on larvae, T2) egg immersion, T3) treated Sitotroga cerealella eggs, and T4) liquid ingestion in adults. Mortality, hatching and emergence variables were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s comparison of means (p ≤ 0.05). Treatments were classified according to the toxicity levels proposed by the International Organization for Biological Control. The aqueous and oily extracts were in toxicity class 1 for C. carnea, except in eggs treated with the oily extract (class 4). Imidacloprid was classified in class 4 when applied topically and by ingestion in adults and in class 2 in ingestion of treated S. cerealella eggs. In general, extracts of A. mexicana could be used as selective insecticides, while imidacloprid can be considered incompatible with releases of this predator.

Hormonal Sex Inversion by 17α-Methyl testosterone in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) through egg Immersion Technique (IT)

ABSTRACT The trial was conducted to evaluating the effect of different hormone concentrations of 17α-methyltestosterone @ (HC): (200, 400, 600, and 800 μg/L−1), immersion times (IT): 48, 60 and 72 h and the interaction effect of (HC × IT) on the hatching percentage of Cyprinus carpio egg, percent survival and percent of males. Results indicated that survival of treated fry was affected by the increasing IT (p < 0.001). The main interaction effect of HC × IT showed that the highest percent of male individuals 96% was attained at 800 μg/L HC at 72 h IT and lowest was recorded 49% in control (p < 0.05). Increased percent male of C. carpio was obtained with increasing HC across all IT. It is concluded that the immersion treatment at 800 µg/L for 72 h is more effective to change sex ratios of C. carpio. Masculinization of C. carpio by egg immersion is an alternative technique of oral method, manual sorting of sexes, gene manipulation and hybridization.

Masculinization in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by androgen immersion: The interaction effect of hormone concentration and immersion time.

Synthetic androgens (male hormones) administered to fish nursery are being used in aquaculture to avoid sexual differentiation and unwanted spawning at the eggs or the first feeding fry stage of fish. Present trial was conducted with the aim to produce male common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by egg immersion technique. Through this little insight, the effect of different hormone concentrations (17α-methyltestosterone @ HC:150, 300, 450 and 600 µgl-1) with immersion times (IT: 24, 48 and 72 hrs) and their interaction effect (HC x IT) on the hatching percentage of Cyprinus carpio eggs, percent survival and percent of male's production was evaluated specifically. Results showed that egg hatching percentage decreased with increased IT likewise, survival of treated fry was affected by increasing the IT (P<0.001). The main interaction effect of HC x IT showed that the highest percent of male individuals (95%) was obtained at 450-600 µgl-1 HC for 72 hrs IT, followed by 88-92.50% at 150-300 µgl-1 HC for 72-hrsof IT, 87.50% at 48-hrs of IT for rest of the hormone treatments, and lowest 47.50% was recorded in control (P<0.05). Increased percent male of Cyprinus carpio was obtained with increasing HC across all ITs. It was observed that the immersion treatment at 600µgl-1 for 72 hours was more effective to change the sex ratio of pre hatch Cyprinus carpio. A comparative outlook made from this experimental trial that sex induction of Cyprinus carpio by eggs immersion using synthetic male steroid hormone is an alternative safe technique of fish sex reversal in contrast to oral administration of hormone in fish feed.

Synthesis, characterization and acaricidal activity of green-mediated ZnO nanoparticles against Hyalomma ticks

Emerging acaricide resistance in Hyalomma ticks, transmitting wider range of diseases, require eco-friendly and alternative control options. Current study focused on evaluation of ethanolic extracts and Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) prepared from neem (Azadirachta indica) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) Hyalomma ticks, in vitro. UV-vis. spectrometry revealed wavelength of neem mediated ZnO nanoparticles (N-ZnO NPs) and lemon grass mediated ZnO nanoparticles (L-ZnO NPs) to be 374 nm and 377 nm. The XRD patterns showed Bragg's diffraction peaks at 31.8°, 34.4°, 36.2°, 47.5°, 56.5°, 62.8°, 66.4°, 67.9°, 69.0°, 72.5°, 76.9°, 82.1° and 89.2°. Also, the SEM depicted spherical morphology of green ZnO NPs. The in vitro bioassays included Adult immersion test, Adult packet test, larval immersion test, Larval packet test and Egg immersion test. Probit analysis concluded higher mortality in case of N-ZnO NPs than to that of L-ZnO NPs. The adult tick LC50 of N-ZnO NPs and L-ZnO NPs were 4.76 mg/L, 4.92 mg/L compared to LC90 of 8.87 mg/L and 9.1 mg/L. The study reported green ZnO NPs as effective, safer, and eco-friendly candidature against Hyalomma ticks. In vivo model of this study could be adapted against ticks and tick borne diseases from a broader perspective.

Pengaruh Lama Waktu Perendaman Telur dalam Larutan Hormon Tiroksin (T4) Terhadap Daya Tetas, Pertumbuhan dan Kelangsungan Hidup Larva Ikan Gurami (Osphronemus gouramy)

Hormon tiroksin merupakan hormon yang mampu menurunkan tingginya mortalitas dan meningkatkan pertumbuhan ikan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh lama waktu perendaman telur dalam larutan hormon tiroksin dan waktu yang baik untuk meningkatkan daya tetas, pertumbuhan, dan kelangsungan hidup larva gurami. Metode yang digunakan adalah eksperimen di laboratorium dengan rancangan acak lengkap. Perlakuan lama waktu perendaman telur dalam larutan hormon tiroksin dengan dosis 0.1 mg/L yaitu 0, 8, 16, 24 dan 32 jam. Tiap perlakuan dilakukan tiga ulangan. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa lama waktu perendaman tidak berpengaruh terhadap daya tetas, namun berpengaruh terhadap pertumbuhan panjang dan kelangsungan hidup larva gurami (O. gouramy). Lama waktu perendaman terbaik adalah 16 - 24 jam dengan nilai daya tetas 97.67 - 99.00%, pertumbuhan panjang mutlak 6.50 - 6.92 mm, pertumbuhan panjang relatif 4.93 - 5.25 %, dan kelangsungan hidup sebesar 91.26 - 92.15 %.

Shell thickness and weight shrinkage of duck eggs soaked with soursop leaf Annona muricata linn extract on different concentration and storage times

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of duck egg immersion with soursop leaf extract on eggshell thickness and egg weight shrinkage after being stored for several days. The experimental design used was a factorial complete randomized design. Factor A was the concentration of soursop leaf extract with levels 0, 2, and 4%. While factor B was the storage time with levels 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days. The result showed that the concentration of soursop leaves did not significantly (p>0,05) affect the thickness of the shell while the storage duration and interaction between the two factors significantly (p<0,05) affected the thickness of the shell. Then, the result for parameters of weight shrinkage of duck eggs showed that the storage time had a significant effect, while the concentration of soursop leaf (Annona muricata Linn) extract and the interaction of two factors very significantly (p<0,01) affected.

The Effects of Using Garlic Extract for Quail Hatching Egg Disinfection on Hatching Results and Performance

ABSTRACT This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of using garlic extract (Allium sativum) as an alternative to formaldehyde for the disinfection of hatching eggs on hatching traits and growth performance of quails. Four treatments, with 240 hatching eggs each, were evaluated: egg immersion in two different levels (2.5% and 5.0%) of garlic extract (garlic-1, garlic-2), formaldehyde fumigation (positive control), and eggs not submitted to disinfection (negative control). Mid-term and late embryomortality, pipped egg, and culled chick rates were not influenced by the (p>0.05). The highest (p 0.05). The results obtained for hatching traits and live performance parameters indicated that the immersion of eggs in garlic extract may be used as an alternative to formaldehyde fumigation for the disinfection of hatching quail eggs.

Susceptibility status of certain synthetic pesticides against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Results obtained by the adult and egg immersion test showed high grade susceptibility against Deltamethrin followed by Cypermethrin. Diazinon was the least effective against all the target stages. Deltamethrin was found the most potent as the adulticide with LC50 24.57 ppm and LC90 91.16 ppm and ovicide with LC50 13.78 ppm and LC50 63.42 ppm. In the case of larvicidal activity, Cypermethrin found the most effective with LC90 0.63 ppm and LC90 30.66 ppm. Complete occlusion of egg laying was found at the concentration 200, 250 and 300 ppm of Cypermethrin, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm of Deltamethrin and 400, 500 and 600 ppm of Diazinon. The values of percentage inhibition of reproduction were 98.77, 99.64, 99.90, 98.66 and 99.68 in treated groups with 50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 ppm. Present study clearly indicates that Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin and Diazinon were effective against all the life stages of cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

Enriched stable isotope marking of hatchery trout via immersion: A method to monitor restocking success

Abstract Suitable habitat for many temperate freshwater species of salmonids is predicted to dramatically decline, yet many hatcheries still release millions of juvenile salmonids into rivers and lakes annually with little or no post release monitoring. This is, in part, because marking of hatchery reared fish is often not compulsory and currently available marking methods are either costly, cause high mortalities, are inconvenient to apply, or have poor long-term retention rates. To help overcome these limitations, we tested two recently validated stable isotope mass marking methods for Atlantic salmon (larval and egg immersion), to determine if a suitable low cost, easy to apply, fish friendly marking method could be achieved for two of the most widely stocked freshwater salmonids worldwide: brown trout Salmo trutta and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Egg immersion using 1000 μg L−1 of 137Ba and 136Ba over a 2 h period did not create detectable marks in the otoliths of brown or rainbow trout. In contrast, larval immersion using 100 μg L−1 of 137Ba and 136Ba over a 24 h period returned a 100% mark-success rate in the otoliths of brown and rainbow trout at an estimated marking cost of $US 0.004 per fish. Larval immersion marks were clearly definable in the otoliths, with isotope ratios in marked fish 11 times greater than ratios measured in control fish. Furthermore, the process of marking was easy to apply, with

Thiamine deficiency and the effectiveness of thiamine treatments through broodstock injections and egg immersion on Lake Ontario steelhead trout

In fall 2014, steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) migrating in the Salmon River, New York, exhibited abnormal swimming behavior and, in some cases, mortality as reported by sport fishermen. Preliminary results showed that affected individuals had low levels of thiamine in their muscle and liver. As a result, New York State Department of Conservation (NYSDEC) personnel from the Salmon River Fish Hatchery injected adult fish with thiamine mononitrate (50 mg/kg). In April 2015, muscle, liver, and eggs were taken from adults treated (n = 27) or not (n = 27) with thiamine at the Salmon River Fish Hatchery to evaluate their thiamine concentration. In addition, a subsample of eggs was fertilized and treated or not with a thiamine bath (1000 ppm). Accordingly, four treatment groups were established: adults treated/eggs treated (TT), adults treated/eggs untreated (TU), adults untreated/eggs treated (UT), and adults untreated/eggs untreated (UU). Offspring mortality was significantly higher (P 0.8) from each other. The efficiency of each treatment was compared based on offspring mortality. Significant differences in muscle, liver, and egg total thiamine concentrations were observed between treated and untreated adults (P < 0.001). The relationship between total egg thiamine concentrations and offspring mortality also suggests that steelhead trout thiamine requirements may be greater than previously expected.

Toxicity evaluation of cypermethrin, deltamethrin and diazinon with reference to Hyalomma anatolicum (Acari: Ixodidae)

The present study was aimed to evaluate the relative bioefficacy of synthetic pesticides i.e. cypermethrin, deltamethrin and diazinon against different stages (adults, eggs and larvae) of Hyalomma anatolicum. Adult immersion test (AIT), Egg immersion test (EIT) and Larval immersion test (LIT) were conducted for determination of LC50 and LC90 values. The study showed that the bioefficacy was dose and stage dependent. In case of adulticidal bioefficacy, deltamethrin was found the most potent with LC50 value 49.28 ppm and LC90 value 182.58 ppm. While in case of ovicidal activity, cypermethrin was found highly effective and LC50 and LC90 values were 11.96 and 62.38 ppm. The larvicidal activity showed that cypermethrin had the effective exposure with LC50 value 17.0 ppm and LC90 value 54.96 ppm. The analyzed data showed all the synthetic pesticides had different efficacies on the adults, eggs and larvae but the diazinon was the least effective among all the stages followed by cypermethrin and deltamethrin. The effects of selected pesticides on fully engorged females were observed by the different parameters namely egg index, total weight of survived ticks after laid eggs, estimated reproductive factor (ER F), % inhibition of reproduction (IR). No survival rate of target organisms was found at concentrations 400, 500, 600 in case of cypermethrin. While in case of deltamethrin and diazinon complete mortality was found at concentration 300, 400, 500, 600 ppm and 400, 500, 600 ppm respectively. Inhibition of oviposition was observed in all treated groups in comparison to control. However, the hatched larvae were not affected and were similar to control groups. The value of % IR ranged in 99.07–99.77 (Cypermethrin), 99.75–99.75 (deltamethrin) and 98.98–99.76 (diazinon).

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Insecticides on the Egg Parasitoid Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

Insecticide use remains controversial, and subjected to increasing environmental and health concerns, even when recent insecticide groups are considered. Neonicotinoids and even bioinsecticides are in the forefront of discussions regarding their nontarget safety. The ubiquitous focus on the lethal effects of insecticides on nontarget species has been expanding to sublethal effects, as sublethal exposure extends for a longer time and affects a broader range of (nontarget) species. Here we explored the lethal and sublethal effects of a lambda-cyhalothrin + thiamethoxan mixture, the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, and the bioinsecticide azadirachtin on the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi Ashmead, an important parasitoid of stink bug Euschistus heros (F.), a key soybean pest in neotropical America. Contact with dry insecticide residue on glass surface and (parasitized and healthy) host egg immersion exposure bioassays were performed, assessing their acute lethal effects, and their potential sublethal impairment of parasitism, adult emergence, and fertility of the egg parasitoid. Both imidacloprid and the insecticide mixture exhibited high acute lethal activity toward the parasitoid under contact with dry insecticide residue. These insecticides compromised parasitism and wasp emergence when exposure took place before parasitism. In contrast, azadirachtin did not affect adult survival. However, this bioinsecticide compromised parasitism and progeny production, impairing the female parasitoid reproductive potential. Our results indicate strong negative effects of imidacloprid, and specially of the mixture lambda-cyhalthrin + thiamethoxan. However, even azadirachtin, which exhibited low acute lethality, exhibited significant negative sublethal effects on parasitism and population growth of egg parasitoid, cautioning against their use and the need of semifield and field assessments to confirm such an impact.

Do necrophagous blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) lay their eggs in wounds?: Experimental data and implications for forensic entomology

This study was designed to examine the common belief that necrophagous blowflies lay their eggs in wounds.The egg-laying behaviour of Lucilia sericata was observed under controlled conditions on wet, artificially wounded or short-haired areas of rat cadavers. Flies laid significantly more eggs on the wet area and the area with short hair than on the dry area or area with long hair. No eggs were observed inside the wounds in any of the replicates.The effect of egg immersion (body fluids often exudes in wounds) on the survival rate of larvae was also investigated. In low water condition, an average of 72.7±7.9% of the larvae survived and they reached a mean length of 7.5±0.6mm. In contrast, submerging eggs under a high volume of water strongly affected their survival rate (25±3.7%) and development. Similar results were observed using unfrozen pig blood instead of water.These data question the information found in the literature regarding the preferential egg-laying behaviour of Calliphorids flies in wounds.

Immersion during egg swelling results in rapid uptake of stable isotope markers in salmonid otoliths

Determining the value of restocking wild fisheries with hatchery-reared fish requires the ability to identify and quantify the survival of hatchery fish after release. However, to obtain accurate estimates of survival rates, multiple fish identification techniques are often used, making the monitoring of restocking inefficient and costly. Here we test a new immersion marking method to determine its efficiency and cost effectiveness for marking millions of hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Salmon eggs were marked during the egg swelling stage by immersing eggs in a solution containing seven enriched stable isotopes (134Ba, 135Ba, 136Ba, 137Ba, 86Sr, 87Sr, and 26Mg) for 2 h immediately after fertilisation. One hundred percent successful marks were detected in the otoliths of resulting larvae at a concentration of 1000 μg·L−1 for 136Ba and 100 μg·L−1 for 135Ba and 137Ba, with no detrimental effects on survival or health of egg and yolk sac larvae. We estimate that seven unique mark combinations can be made at a cost of $0.0001 to $0.0017 (US) per egg and conclude that marking via egg immersion is suitable for low cost, accurate marking of hatchery-reared salmonids destined for restocking purposes.

Production of Male Oreochromis niloticus GET Excel Tilapia by Egg Immersion in Methyl Testosterone Hormone

The masculinization of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, GET Excel strain was conducted through egg immersion in two concentrations of 17 α-methyltestosterone (500 and 1000µg L -1 ) at different immersion times (24, 48, 72 and 96 h). The effects of hormone concentration (HC) and immersion time (IT) on egg hatching rates, fry growth, survival and sex ratio were evaluated. Immersion time significantly influenced hatching with decreasing hatching rates at increasing IT. Highest hatching rate of 85% occurred after 24h IT regardless of HC. Low hatching rate of 63 to 65% was obtained at 96h IT. Survival rate of post-treated fry in the net enclosure was not significantly different among treatments. Higher growth occurred in 1000µg L -1 HC although not significantly different from the other treatment. Higher proportions of male juveniles were obtained with increasing HC especially at 1000µg L -1 (97-100%) across all IT. The interaction effect of HC x IT demonstrated that HC at 1000µg L -1 induced production of higher percentages of tilapia males. This implies that HC is a primary factor contributing to the high production of male population of O. niloticus. Cost and return analysis showed an inverse proportion of the return on investment (ROI) with immersion time. Highest average ROI was obtained in 500µg L -1 (55.32%) and 1000µg L -1 (55.25%) HC at 24h IT and lowest in 1000µg L -1 (28.50%) and 500µg L -1 (32.42%) HC at 96h IT. This study has identified the HC and IT of eggs that contributed to highest percentage of male production, a vital information in improving efficiency of all-male tilapia juvenile production to support the growing aquaculture of this important fish species.

Effect of inoculation and application methods on the performance of chemicals used to disinfect Salmonella-contaminated broiler hatching eggs

Salmonella can penetrate the shells and shell membranes of hatching eggs, and this can critically affect final product contamination levels (processed broiler carcass). There are numerous published studies on the effectiveness of chemical disinfectants for hatching eggs. The purpose of this study was to provide information allowing the reader to accurately assess published works on chemical efficacy to reduce Salmonella on hatching eggs. Three methods of egg inoculation were used: immersion, fecal smear, and droplet. After inoculation, 2 methods of sanitizer application were used: egg immersion (30 s) and spraying (10 s). When an immersion inoculum was used at a high level (107 cells/mL), it was difficult to demonstrate any reduction in Salmonella contamination of eggs with either chemical (hydrogen peroxide or quaternary ammonium), regardless of the application method. When a fecal smear inoculation was used (103 to 107 cells/mL), hydrogen peroxide treatment reduced the number of Salmonella-positive eggs with spray or immersion application; quaternary ammonium was less effective and showed no advantage over water. Droplet inoculation was the mildest of the methods used. With droplet inoculation (105Salmonella cells), immersion and spray application of chemicals resulted in reductions in Salmonella prevalence. In fact, when using the drop inoculation method, slight reductions were noted even when water was used as the treatment. Readers should pay close attention to the method and levels of bacterial inoculation as well as the method of chemical application before deciding on the efficacy of a sanitizing treatment. Experimental methodologies may affect results as much as the chemical composition of the sanitizer being analyzed.

Larval performance of matrinxã,Brycon amazonicus(Spix &amp; Agassiz 1829), after maternal triiodothyronine injection or egg immersion

This study compared the larval performance of matrinxa� , Brycon amazonicus ,a fter maternal triiodothyronine (T3) injection or egg immersion of T3. In the ¢rst experiment, three groups of females (n 5 4) induced to spawning received pituitary extract (CPE) and a corn oil injection (control), or CPE plus 10 mg or 20 mg kg � 1 bw T3 dissolved in corn oil (experimental). Larvae were sampled for body weight and length measurement at hatching (0 h) and12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h thereafter. Hatching time, hatching success and abnormal development were monitored. In the second experiment, fertilized eggs from four females were immersed inT3 solutions (0,0.01,0.05 and 0.10 mg L � 1 ) and larvae were sampled at hatching (0 h) and 6, 18, 30, 42, 54, 126 and 198 h thereafter. Hatching time was not aiected by either means of hormone treatment. Abnormalities decreased as the T3 concentration increased in larvae from T3-treated brood¢sh but the number of dead larvae increased proportionally. Larvae from T3-injected females had higher weight from 24 h after hatching and greater length from hatching, while the weight of larvae produced from T3-immersed eggs changed at 198 h and length from 126 h of rearing. Both routes of T3 administration aiected the early growth of matrinxa� but the eiect was observed earlier when broodstock females were injected.

Effectiveness of Egg Immersion in Aqueous Solutions of Thiamine and Thiamine Analogs for Reducing Early Mortality Syndrome

AbstractProtocols used for therapeutic thiamine treatments in salmonine early mortality syndrome (EMS) were investigated in lake trout Salvelinus namaycush and coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch to assess their efficacy. At least 500 mg of thiamine HCl/L added to egg baths was required to produce a sustained elevation of thiamine content in lake trout eggs. Thiamine uptake from egg baths was not influenced by a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 or by a water hardness between 2 and 200 mg CaCO3/L. There was poorer thiamine uptake when initial thiamine levels were low, suggesting that current treatment regimes may not be as effective when thiamine levels are severely depressed and that higher treatment doses are necessary. Exposure of eggs to the more lipid‐soluble thiamine analog allithiamine (1,000 mg/L) during water hardening increased egg thiamine levels by 1.5–2.5 nmol/g and was completely effective at reversing EMS. Another more lipid‐soluble thiamine analog, benfotiamine (100 mg/L), reduced EMS but did not produce detectable increases in egg thiamine content. Although benfotiamine may be more effective than thiamine at mitigating EMS, it is more expensive than thiamine HCl or allithiamine. In addition, there still needs to be a more thorough examination of dose–response relationships. We conclude that allithiamine is an alternative to the use of thiamine in egg baths as a therapeutic treatment for salmonid EMS.

Evaluation of potential embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of 42 herbicides, insecticides, and petroleum contaminants to mallard eggs.

Results are reported for the embryotoxicity of 42 environmental contaminants applied externally to mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) eggs including crude and refined petroleum, and commercial formulations of herbicides and insecticides. Many of the petroleum pollutants were embryotoxic and moderately teratogenic and had $$LD_{50^S } $$ of 0.3 to 5 μl per egg (∼6–90 μg/g egg). The most toxic was a commercial oil used for control of road dust followed by South Louisiana crude oil, Kuwait crude, no. 2 fuel oil, bunker C fuel oil, and industrial and automotive waste oil. Prudhoe Bay crude, unused crankcase oil, aviation kerosene, and aliphatic hydrocarbon mixtures were less toxic ( $$LD_{50^S } $$ of 18 to over 75 μl) and less teratogenic. The $$LC_{50^S } $$ of herbicides and insecticides in aqueous emulsion were measured by egg immersion; the most toxic were paraquat and trifluralin ( $$LC_{50^S } $$ of about 1.5 Ibs/A; 1.7 kg/ha). Propanil, bromoxynil with MCPA, methyl diclofop, prometon, endrin, sulprofos, and parathion were toxic ( $$LC_{50^S } $$ of 7 to 40 Ibs/A; 7.8–44.8 kg/ha), whereas 2,4-D, glyphosate, atrazine, carbaryl, dalapon, dicamba, methomyl, and phosmet were only slightly toxic or not toxic ( $$LC_{50^S } $$ of 178 to over 500 Ibs/A; 199–560 kg/ha). Pesticides in nontoxic oil vehicle applied by microliter pipet were up to 18 times more toxic than when applied in water vehicle, which was probably due to better penetration of the pesticide past the eggshell and its membranes. Teratogenic effects and impaired embryonic growth are reported and results discussed in terms of potential hazard at field levels of application. A discussion is provided on the effects of pollutants on the eggs of other species of birds under laboratory and field conditions.