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Mineralization of Hormones in Breeder and Broiler Litters at Different Water Potentials and Temperatures
Author(s) -
Hemmings Sarah N. J.,
Hartel Peter G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq2005.0303
Subject(s) - mineralization (soil science) , estrone , chemistry , zoology , hormone , litter , environmental chemistry , broiler , salinity , ecology , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry , nitrogen
When poultry litter is landspread, steroidal hormones present in the litter may reach surface waters, where they may have undesirable biological effects. In a laboratory study, we determined the mineralization of [4– 14 C]‐labeled 17β‐estradiol, estrone, and testosterone in breeder litter at three different water potentials (−56, −24, and −12 MPa) and temperatures (25, 35, and 45°C), and in broiler litter at two different water potentials (−24 and −12 MPa) and temperatures (25 and 35°C). Mineralization was similar in both litters and generally increased with increasing water content and decreasing temperature. After 23 wk at −24 MPa, an average of 27, 11, and <2% of the radiolabeled testosterone applied to breeder litter was mineralized to 14 CO 2 at 25, 35, and 45°C, respectively. In contrast, mineralization of the radiolabeled estradiol and estrone was <2% after 25 wk at all water potentials, except after 17 wk at 25°C and −12 MPa, where up to 5.9% of the estradiol and 7.8% of the estrone was mineralized. The minimal mineralization suggests that the litters may still be potential sources of hormones to surface and subsurface waters.