Mineralization of Hormones in Breeder and Broiler Litters at Different Water Potentials and Temperatures

• Published in: Journal of environmental quality 2006-05, Vol.35 (3), p.701-706
• Main Authors: Hemmings, S.N.J, Hartel, P.G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agricultural runoff; Agricultural wastes; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animals; Antibiotics; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biological effects; Carbon dioxide; Chickens; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; environmental fate; estradiol; Estradiol - chemistry; Estradiol - metabolism; estrone; Estrone - chemistry; Estrone - metabolism; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormones; Litter; Mineralization; Minerals - chemistry; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Poultry; poultry manure; Soils; steroid hormones; Surface water; Temperature; Testosterone; Testosterone - chemistry; Testosterone - metabolism; Water; Water content; water pollution; Water potential
• ISSN: 0047-2425; 1537-2537
• DOI: 10.2134/jeq2005.0303

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 [4-14C]-labeled 17ss-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