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- Title
Latent cognitive effects from low-level polychlorinated biphenyl exposure in juvenile European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris).
- Authors
Zahara, Alexander R.D.; Michel, Nicole L.; Flahr, Leanne M.; Ejack, Leanne E.; Morrissey, Christy A.
- Abstract
Ecotoxicology research on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixtures has focused principally on short-term effects on reproduction, growth, and other physiological endpoints. Latent cognitive effects from early life exposure to low-level PCBs were examined in an avian model, the European starling ( Sturnus vulgaris). Thirty-six birds, divided equally among 4 treatment groups (control = 0 µg, low = 0.35 µg, intermediate = 0.70 µg, and high = 1.05 µg Aroclor 1254/g body weight), were dosed 1 d through 18 d posthatch, then tested 8 mo to 9 mo later in captivity in an analog to an open radial arm maze. Birds were subject to 4 sequential experiments: habituation, learning, cue selection, and memory. One-half of the birds did not habituate to the test cage; however, this was not linked to a treatment group. Although 11 of the remaining 18 birds successfully learned, only 1 was from the high-dosed group. Control and low-dosed birds were among the only treatment groups to improve trial times throughout the learning experiment. High-dosed birds were slower and more error-prone than controls. Cue selection (spatial or color cues) and memory retention were not affected by prior PCB exposure. The results indicate that a reduction in spatial learning ability persists among birds exposed to Aroclor 1254 during development. This may have implications for migration ability, resource acquisition, and other behaviors relevant for fitness. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2513-2522. © 2015 SETAC
- Subjects
POLYCHLORINATED biphenyls &; the environment; ANIMAL cognition; STURNUS vulgaris; POLLUTION; BIRD growth; BEHAVIOR; REPRODUCTION
- Publication
Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, 2015, Vol 34, Issue 11, p2513
- ISSN
0730-7268
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/etc.3084