Dieldrin dilution in visceral fat of field-contaminated broilers

Area of Science:

• Environmental toxicology
• Animal science
• Food safety

Background:

• Broiler chickens from commercial flocks were exposed to dieldrin through contaminated feed.
• Dieldrin is an organochlorine pesticide known for its persistence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rate of dieldrin residue elimination in broiler chickens post-exposure.
• To determine the half-time for dieldrin dilution in broiler visceral fat.

Main Methods:

• Broiler chickens (4, 5, and 6 weeks old) from 8 commercial flocks with accidental dieldrin exposure were studied.
• Birds were fed a dieldrin-free ration until 10 weeks of age.
• Dieldrin residues in visceral fat were quantified weekly.

Main Results:

• Dieldrin residues in broiler visceral fat were found to be rapidly diluted.
• The estimated half-time for dieldrin dilution in growing chicks was approximately 12 days.

Conclusions:

• Growing broiler chickens can effectively reduce dieldrin body burden when removed from the source of contamination.
• The rapid dilution suggests a metabolic or excretory process for dieldrin in poultry.