Environmentally relevant concentrations of DE-71 and HBCD alter eggshell thickness and reproductive success of American kestrels.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and total alpha-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are flame-retardant additives that are commonly used in household and commercial applications. PBDE congeners, which are comprised of technical mixtures such as DE-71, are globally persistent and their concentrations are increasing in many species. Captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) were exposed by diet to vehicle (safflower oil), or one of two environmentally relevant concentrations of DE-71 and unintentionally to HBCD. This exposure resulted in the birds laying eggs that contain PBDE and HBCD concentrations currently found in wild herring gull (Larus argentatus) and peregrine falcon (F. peregrinus) eggs, and compared to control kestrels, resulted in delayed egg laying and smaller eggs being laid, caused thinner eggshells and differential weight loss during embryonic development, and reduced fertility and reproductive success. The thickness of the eggshell declined as the concentrations of all measured PBDE and the total amount of a-HBCD congeners (except BDE-183 and BDE-209) increased; increasing concentrations of BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-28, BDE-17, delayed egg laying, reduced eggshell mass (plus sigmaPBDEs), and reduced fledging success (BDE-153 and BDE-154 only). BDE-153 is the dominant congener recently found in peregrine eggs. The results of this study are consistent with the PBDE-associated brood reduction in wild European peregrines and may partially explain the decline of kestrels in North America.