A preliminary study of the translocation of aldicarb across the duck eggshell

The duck eggshell has the reputation of being more permeable than that of the domestic hen. If this is true, the developing embryo could be at greater risk from xenobiotic agents, since toxicants picked up on the feathers could be transferred to the embryo during incubation. This study looked for such an effect on the developing embryo after the application of aldicarb to the eggshell. At 72 hr, the eggs were painted with 3, 7, 11, or 15 microM aldicarb in 500 microliters water. The eggs were then incubated to Day 24. The gross morphological measurements were then recorded. A similar study was made using domestic hen eggs; these were treated after 36 hr incubation and incubated to Day 17. Direct injection into the yolk sac of both species was used for further comparison. There was a statistically significant reduction (P less than 0.01) in the middle web toe length with 11 and 15 microM aldicarb and the tarsometatarsus length with 7, 11, and 15 microM. Compared with the duck control group, the group given 15 microM aldicarb had reductions of approximately 8% in the tarsometatarsus and approximately 9% in the middle web toe. No statistically significant changes were produced in the chick embryos.