Hatching and lipid composition of chicks brain from eggs treated with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester.

Fertilized hen's eggs were painted, before starting incubation, with solutions of commercial 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester, (0.8 mg, 3.1 mg, 6.3 mg, 9.4 mg and 12.1 mg of pure drug) in ether. Hatchability studies suggest that the fetotoxic effects observed are related to the drug concentration. There are no statistically significant differences between control and treated groups in body weight, cerebral wet, and dry weights and water content. Protein and total lipid levels are dose dependently decreased. Phospholipids are significantly diminished in the 6.3 mg of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic butyl ester group. Gangliosides are increased while cholesterol and glycolipids are diminished; their decrease is inverse to drug concentration. A decrease in glycolipids suggests an alteration of the normal process of myelination.