Reproductive responses of quail to bunker C oil fractions

Bunker C fuel oil was extracted with petroleum ether and the concentrated extract was given to breeding Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). A dose of extract equivalent to 300 mg bunker C reduced both egg production and hatchability. Fractionation of the extract by absorption on Florisil and elution with petroleum ether followed by chloroform yielded fractions that were tested for toxicity. All the fractions had a pronounced effect upon production; however, only the chloroform eluates were found to affect hatchability of the eggs.