Degradation of some pesticides in avian embryos

On day 9 or 12 of the hatching period different pesticides (parathion, meth ylparathion, carbendazim, 2,4-D-amine Na, phosmethylane) were applied in ec otoxicological trials. The formulations were either injected into the air s pace of pheasant, quail or hen eggs or hen eggs were treated by the immersi on technique. The residues of pesticides were measured in samples on days 1 3, 14 and 16 of incubation of chicken and pheasant embryos, while the Japan ese quail embryos were analysed on days 10-14 of incubation. Analytical che mistry data showed a varying degradation rate of the compounds in avian emb ryos of the same species. The residues directly affect the embryos, disturb ing their normal development and causing pathophysiological and morphologic al changes.