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Evaluation of Corn Furan Fatty Acid Putative Endocrine Disruptors on Reproductive Performance in Adult Female Chickens

K. W. Wilhelms^*,, G. A. Kraus^*,, J. D. Schroeder, J. W. Kim, S. A. Cutler, M. A. Rasmussen^||, L. L. Anderson^,,1 and C. G. Scanes^*,,

^* Interdepartmental Toxicology Program, Department of Animal Science, Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames 50011; and ^|| National Animal Disease Center, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA 50010

¹ Corresponding author: llanders{at}iastate.edu

Based on evidence from rodent models, it was hypothesized that furan fatty acids found in corn would inhibit reproduction in the laying hen. An isomeric mixture of furan fatty acids [9, (12)-oxy-10,13-dihydroxystearic acid and 10, (13)-oxy-9,12-dihydroxystearic acid] was administered for a period of 3 wk via the diet (1 and 3 ppm) at levels greater than those in corn to 20-wk-old pullets. There were no overt indications of acute or chronic toxicity (no effects on mortality, feed intake, or average daily gain). Similarly, there was no dose-dependent effect on reproductive parameters [egg production, egg weight, shell thickness, ovarian weight, number or weight of large yolky preovulatory follicles, and number of small yellow follicles (4–8 mm in diameter)]. The present data do not suggest that furan fatty acids are a cause of concern to the poultry industry.

Key Words: corn furan fatty acid • endocrine disruptor • egg production • chicken