This study examined effects of the brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) on the avian endocrine system. Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were exposed to multiple doses of HBCD over multiple generations through feed and by maternal deposition into the egg. Liver transcriptomes were examined to identify genes and pathways directly affected by HBCD to better understand the mechanisms of action in birds. RNA was extracted from liver of adults and embryos and analyzed (1x50 bp) on an Illumina HiSeq 2000. NCBI Biosample accessions and the raw counts that were input into the differential expression analysis are provided in this dataset. The raw sequence data are available at the NCBI Sequence Read Archive under Bioproject number PRJNA313931.

The files in this data release are RNA seq datafiles from a study that examined the effects of the synthetic anabolic steroid 17β hydroxyestra 4,9,11 trien-3-one, trenbolone (17βT - CAS 10161-33-8), a common contaminant of wastes from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were exposed in the egg and through feed to multiple doses of 17βT and liver transcriptomes were examined to identify genes and pathways directly affected by this androgenic compound. RNA was extracted from liver of adults and embryos and analyzed (1x50 bp) on an Illumina HiSeq 2000. NCBI Biosample accessions and the raw counts that were input into the differential expression analysis are provided in this dataset. The raw sequence data are available at the NCBI Sequence Read Archive under Bioproject numbers PRJNA313918 and PRJNA313931.

The files in this data release are RNA seq datafiles from a study that examined the effects of the synthetic anabolic steroid 17β hydroxyestra 4,9,11 trien-3-one, trenbolone (17βT - CAS 10161-33-8), a common contaminant of wastes from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were exposed in the egg and through feed to multiple doses of 17βT and liver transcriptomes were examined to identify genes and pathways directly affected by this androgenic compound. RNA was extracted from liver of adults and embryos and analyzed (1x50 bp) on an Illumina HiSeq 2000. NCBI Biosample accessions and the raw counts that were input into the differential expression analysis are provided in this dataset. The raw sequence data are available at the NCBI Sequence Read Archive under Bioproject numbers PRJNA313918 and PRJNA313931.

A number of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been reported to interfere with the thyroid signaling pathway and cause oxidative stress in birds, yet the underlying shifts in gene expression associated with these effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we measured hepatic transcriptional responses of 31 genes in American kestrel hatchlings following in ovo exposure to one of three high-volume alternative BFRs: 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTPBE), bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), or 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTBB). Hatchling kestrels exhibited shifts in the expression of genes related to oxidative stress (CYP, GSTA, SOD, GPx), thyroid hormone metabolism and transport (DIO, TTR), lipid and protein metabolism (PPAR, HMGCR, FAB1, LPL), and cytokine-mediated inflammation (TLR, IL-18, IRF7, STAT3, RACK1, CEBPB). Male and female hatchlings differed in which genes were differentially expressed as well as the direction of the effect (up- vs. down-regulation). These results build upon our previous findings of increased oxidative stress and disrupted thyroid signaling pathway in the same hatchlings. Furthermore, our results indicate that inflammatory responses appear to occur in female hatchlings exposed to BTBPE and EHTBB in ovo. Gene expression analysis revealed multiple affected pathways, adding to the growing evidence that sublethal physio-logical effects are complex and are a concern for birds exposed to BTBPE, EHTBB, or TBPH in ovo.

This work is part of a study of the immunological effects of exposure to alternative flame retardants in avian species. For the pathology portion of the study, hatchling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were exposed to the flame retardant isopropyl triphenyl phosphate (ITP) and then challenged with a synthetic analogue of viral double-stranded RNA, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Control birds were challenged with vehicle only or vehicle and poly I:C. At euthanasia, spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological assessment. Slides were processed and stained with hematoxalin and eosin as per standard procedure (Luna 1968). Quantitative and qualitative B and T cell parameters were assessed by light microscopy. Specifically, variables assessed included the following: spleen: proportion of white to red pulp; thickness of peri-arteriolar lymphoid sheaths; number and diameter of lymphoid follicles; thymus: total area; area of medulla; density of cortical lymphocytes; number of tingible body macrophages; heterophil infiltration; bursa: follicular and medullary area; cellular density; apoptosis; heterophil infiltration; presence of follicular cysts. Evaluation of the architecture and cellular population of immune organs will shed light on potential functional immunological effects of exposure that may lead to increased susceptibility to infectious disease. (Luna LG. 1968. Manual of histologic staining methods of the armed forces institute of pathology, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.)

This work is part of a study of the immunological effects of exposure to alternative flame retardants in avian species. For the pathology portion of the study, hatchling American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were exposed to the flame retardant isopropyl triphenyl phosphate (ITP) and then challenged with a synthetic analogue of viral double-stranded RNA, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Control birds were challenged with vehicle only or vehicle and poly I:C. At euthanasia, spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological assessment. Slides were processed and stained with hematoxalin and eosin as per standard procedure (Luna 1968). Quantitative and qualitative B and T cell parameters were assessed by light microscopy. Specifically, variables assessed included the following: spleen: proportion of white to red pulp; thickness of peri-arteriolar lymphoid sheaths; number and diameter of lymphoid follicles; thymus: total area; area of medulla; density of cortical lymphocytes; number of tingible body macrophages; heterophil infiltration; bursa: follicular and medullary area; cellular density; apoptosis; heterophil infiltration; presence of follicular cysts. Evaluation of the architecture and cellular population of immune organs will shed light on potential functional immunological effects of exposure that may lead to increased susceptibility to infectious disease. (Luna LG. 1968. Manual of histologic staining methods of the armed forces institute of pathology, 3rd edn. McGraw-Hill, New York, NY.)

Laboratory analysis of innate American kestrel, Falco sparverius, immune response after exposure to flame retardant, isopropylphenyl phosphate (ITP) through 21 days post hatch. Data consist of flow cytometry files that were generated in the analysis of white blood cells from kestrel blood. Thus, data are in standard format that allows files created by one type of acquisition hardware and software to be analyzed by any other type.

Laboratory analysis of innate American kestrel, Falco sparverius, immune response after exposure to flame retardant, isopropylphenyl phosphate (ITP) through 21 days post hatch. Data consist of flow cytometry files that were generated in the analysis of white blood cells from kestrel blood. Thus, data are in standard format that allows files created by one type of acquisition hardware and software to be analyzed by any other type.

We determined the acute toxicity of four wildland fire retardants (Phos-Chek 259-Fx, Phos-Chek MVP-Fx, and Phos-Chek LC-95A-Fx, and Phos-Chek LC-95A-R) to two life stages (swim-up fry and young juveniles) of rainbow trout in standardized hard and soft water. The measure of acute toxicity was expressed as both the 96-hour median lethal concentration (96-h LC50, based on mortality) and 96-h median effective concentration (EC50, based on mortality, plus loss of equilibrium and immobilization), which are statistically derived concentrations expected to kill or kill and severely impair, respectively, 50 percent of the test fish in 96 hours. This data set includes the concentration-response data at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of exposure for each chemical and measured concentrations of total ammonia in each treatment at 0 and 96 hours. Also included are supportive water quality data measured in each treatment at 0, 48, and 96 hours of exposure and total length and wet weight of the control fish at the end of each test.