EFFECTS OF BIS(TRI-N-BUTYLTIN)OXIDE IN JAPANESE-QUAIL EXPOSED DURING EGG-LAYING PERIOD - AN INTERLABORATORY COMPARISON STUDY

The guideline no. 206 for testing of chemicals of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) comprising an avian repro duction test using the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica; Ter mminck and Schlegel 1849) as pair-hold test organisms has been applied in a version that reduced the treatment period to 6 weeks without any pretreatment. In the present study bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide, C.A. No. 56-35-9 (tributyltin oxide, TBTO) was examined by five participants i n an interlaboratory comparison test. A comparable regimen of dosing w as performed by all participants starting either with 24 or 60 mg/kg T BTO in the feed and ending with 150 or 375 mg/kg. Within this dose ran ge no signs of toxicity in adults were observed. Substance-related eff ects however were obvious with regard to egg production, fertility, ha tching success, and survival of 14 day-old chicks. A clear dose depend ency was given regarding effects on egg weight and on hatchability. Th e no-observed-effect concentrations for these two parameters was 60 mg /kg TBTO, characterizing these parameters as the most sensitive in thi s investigation. With the presented set of test parameters further asp ects of subchronic toxicity in adults and chicks can be assessed as we ll as the validity of the performed test. Comparing the results for mo st test parameters consistency is obvious, thus confirming the applica bility of the presented test guideline.