The project is based on the analysis of the effect on adult birds of the ingestion of food treated with different endocrine-disrupting pesticide compounds.

The project is based on the analysis of the effect on adult birds of the ingestion of food treated with different endocrine-disrupting pesticide compounds.

In this case, the target species is the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), although the effects will undoubtedly be common to many other birds. The compounds on which the study focuses are three products used for the treatment of cereals (oats, barley, corn and wheat).

The main endocrine disruptors are analyzed, along with some insecticides. Among the fungicides to be studied are the following: maneb, mancozaeb and thiram.

The study focuses on 42 pairs of adult partridges/year, so it is proposed to use 84 adult individuals of Alectoris rufa. Different biomarkers are used for the analysis of individuals, including blood tests, reproductive function, cell function, splanchnometrics, and the study of successive generations.

The specific activities included are the following:

• Blood tests during exposure and before the breeding season.
• Analysis of reproductive parameters (clutch size, fertility, embryonic death and teratogenic, chick survival and shell thickness study).
• Assessment of humoral and cellular immune function in adults after the reproductive season.
• Study of splanchnometrics of adults and part of chickens (2 months of age): gonads and lymphoid organs, after reproduction.
• Observation of the reproductive parameters of the 2nd generation (chicks born in the previous year), without additional exposure to pesticides.
• Preparation of a report with the effect of each product, depending on the degree of exposure.
• Periodic publication of the project with half a page in specialized magazines, coverage on the federation’s website and sending press releases.
• Dissemination at the sector fairs attended by the RFEC, as a complement to the dissemination work of the project’s results.
• Publication of informative material.

To consult the publication “Identification and quantification of the effects of agricultural pesticides on red-legged partridge in Spain”, published within the framework of the project, click here.