Metabolomic profiling to assess the effects of chlordanes and its bioaccumulation characteristics in chicken embryo.

Although chlordane-related compounds (CHLs) have been regulated, a variety of CHLs are still identified and detected in wild birds and eggs. Embryo is one of fragile periods and is very susceptible to toxic effects of pollutants. In this study, the fate of CHLs during embryo development and degradation of CHLs in neonatal chick were investigated. During embryo development, CHLs were mainly distributed to the liver and muscle, in which trans -nonachlor and an octachlorochlordane (MC5) were hardly metabolized and showed the high persistence, implying a greater risk to birds' offspring. CHLs with the lower K ow were found to be higher uptake efficiency in embryo, implying contaminants with the lower lipophilicity may contribute to their transport to embryo. Furthermore, the effects of CHLs on the metabolome of neonatal chicks was evaluated. The ether lipid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism were found to be significantly affected, which may disturb the angiogenesis and endothelial cell migration in embryogenesis. Taken together, the lipophilicity of contaminants might be a main factor influencing their transport to embryo, and metabolomics results improve understanding of the effects of CHLs on embryo. [Display omitted] • Chlordanes with the lower K ow contribute to their transport to embryo. • Trans -nonachlor and MC5 were hardly metabolized and highly persistent in embryo. • Enantiomeric profiles of chlordanes in embryo were investigated. • Ether lipid metabolism in embryo was affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]