Early life neonicotinoid exposure results in proximal benefits and ultimate carryover effects

Neonicotinoids are insecticides widely used as seed treatments that appear to have multiple negative effects on birds at a diversity of biological scales. Adult birds exposed to a low dose of imidacloprid, one of the most commonly used neonicotinoids, presented reduced fat stores, delayed migration and potentially altered orientation. However, little is known on the effect of imidacloprid on birds growth rate despite studies that have documented disruptive effects of low imidacloprid doses on thyroid gland communication. We performed a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment in Zebra finches, in which nestling birds were exposed to a very low dose (0.205 mg kg body mass - 1) of imidacloprid combined with food restriction during posthatch development. During the early developmental period, imidacloprid exposure resulted in an improvement of body condition index in treated nestlings relative to controls. Imidacloprid also led to compensatory growth in food restricted nestlings. This early life neonicotinoid exposure also carried over to adult age, with exposed birds showing higher lean mass and basal metabolic rate than controls at ages of 90–800 days. This study presents the first evidence that very low-dose neonicotinoid exposure during early life can permanently alter adult phenotype in birds

Caractérisation de la contamination en pesticides azoles et néonicotinoïdes chez les espèces d’intérêt localisées en région Nouvelle-Aquitaine : développement de méthodes analytiques et applications

The main objective is to characterize the pesticides contamination, including azoles (fungicides) and neonicotinoids (insecticides), of various species of heritage interest in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region located in France. These two classes of organic pollutants are widely used in agriculture. Their presence in various environmental compartments is demonstrated as well as their transfers to organisms. However, their occurrence in non-target and wild species remains poorly documented. In order to quantify these organic pollutants, in a non-destructive way for the animal, the plasma and feathers were taken from different bird models. These “sentinel” species come from more or less sensitive areas including wine-growing areas, groves, forests and even urban areas. In addition, passive atmospheric samplers deployed in the study sites allowed the qualification and the quantification of the animal exposure to pesticides (chemical environment notion). Analysis was performed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The challenge has been to lower the test sample (for the small species) while having low limits of quantification. For the plasma matrix, an automated method was developed combining on line solid phase extraction with LC-MS/MS analysis. An extraction method was also developed for the feather matrix before being applied to a panel of samples. Differences between species, habitats and sampling year were demonstrated for few molecules. Finally, feather matrix proved to be a better contamination proxy integrating exposure during its growth over several weeks, while plasma matrix allows characterization of very short-term exposure.L’objectif principal est de caractériser la contamination en pesticides dont les azoles (fongicides) et les néonicotinoïdes (insecticides), de différentes espèces d’intérêt patrimonial en région Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Ces deux classes de polluants organiques sont largement employées en agriculture. Leur présence dans les différents compartiments environnementaux est démontrée ainsi que leurs transferts vers les organismes. Néanmoins, leur occurrence chez les espèces non-cibles et sauvages reste encore peu documentée. De façon à quantifier ces polluants organiques, et ce dans une démarche non-destructive pour l’animal, le plasma et les plumes ont été prélevés sur différents modèles d’oiseaux. Ces espèces « sentinelles » proviennent de zones plus ou moins sensibles comprenant des zones viticoles, des bocages, des forêts ou encore des zones urbaines. En complément, des échantillonneurs passifs atmosphériques placés dans les lieux d’études ont permis de qualifier et de quantifier l’exposition des animaux aux pesticides (notion d’ambiance chimique). L’analyse a été réalisée à l’aide de la chromatographie en phase liquide couplée à un spectromètre de masse en tandem (LC-MS/MS). Le défi a été d’abaisser la prise d’essai (afin d’échantillonner des espèces de petites tailles) tout en ayant des limites de quantifications basses. Pour la matrice plasma, une méthode automatisée a été mise au point couplant une extraction sur phase solide en ligne avec l’analyse en LC-MS/MS. Une méthode d’extraction a également été développée pour la matrice plume avant d’être appliquée à un panel d’échantillons. Des différences entre espèces, habitats et année de prélèvement ont été mises en évidence pour certaines molécules. Finalement, la matrice plume s’est révélée être un meilleur proxy de contamination intégrant l’exposition lors de sa croissance sur plusieurs semaines, tandis que la matrice plasma permet de caractériser une exposition à très court terme

Contamination characterization of azole and neonicotinoid pesticides in interest species located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine area : analytical methods development and applications

L’objectif principal est de caractériser la contamination en pesticides dont les azoles (fongicides) et les néonicotinoïdes (insecticides), de différentes espèces d’intérêt patrimonial en région Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Ces deux classes de polluants organiques sont largement employées en agriculture. Leur présence dans les différents compartiments environnementaux est démontrée ainsi que leurs transferts vers les organismes. Néanmoins, leur occurrence chez les espèces non-cibles et sauvages reste encore peu documentée. De façon à quantifier ces polluants organiques, et ce dans une démarche non-destructive pour l’animal, le plasma et les plumes ont été prélevés sur différents modèles d’oiseaux. Ces espèces « sentinelles » proviennent de zones plus ou moins sensibles comprenant des zones viticoles, des bocages, des forêts ou encore des zones urbaines. En complément, des échantillonneurs passifs atmosphériques placés dans les lieux d’études ont permis de qualifier et de quantifier l’exposition des animaux aux pesticides (notion d’ambiance chimique). L’analyse a été réalisée à l’aide de la chromatographie en phase liquide couplée à un spectromètre de masse en tandem (LC-MS/MS). Le défi a été d’abaisser la prise d’essai (afin d’échantillonner des espèces de petites tailles) tout en ayant des limites de quantifications basses. Pour la matrice plasma, une méthode automatisée a été mise au point couplant une extraction sur phase solide en ligne avec l’analyse en LC-MS/MS. Une méthode d’extraction a également été développée pour la matrice plume avant d’être appliquée à un panel d’échantillons. Des différences entre espèces, habitats et année de prélèvement ont été mises en évidence pour certaines molécules. Finalement, la matrice plume s’est révélée être un meilleur proxy de contamination intégrant l’exposition lors de sa croissance sur plusieurs semaines, tandis que la matrice plasma permet de caractériser une exposition à très court terme.The main objective is to characterize the pesticides contamination, including azoles (fungicides) and neonicotinoids (insecticides), of various species of heritage interest in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region located in France. These two classes of organic pollutants are widely used in agriculture. Their presence in various environmental compartments is demonstrated as well as their transfers to organisms. However, their occurrence in non-target and wild species remains poorly documented. In order to quantify these organic pollutants, in a non-destructive way for the animal, the plasma and feathers were taken from different bird models. These “sentinel” species come from more or less sensitive areas including wine-growing areas, groves, forests and even urban areas. In addition, passive atmospheric samplers deployed in the study sites allowed the qualification and the quantification of the animal exposure to pesticides (chemical environment notion). Analysis was performed using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The challenge has been to lower the test sample (for the small species) while having low limits of quantification. For the plasma matrix, an automated method was developed combining on line solid phase extraction with LC-MS/MS analysis. An extraction method was also developed for the feather matrix before being applied to a panel of samples. Differences between species, habitats and sampling year were demonstrated for few molecules. Finally, feather matrix proved to be a better contamination proxy integrating exposure during its growth over several weeks, while plasma matrix allows characterization of very short-term exposure

(Designing) Urban Production

This book presents the results of the third MasterClass, on the topic of urban production. In a context where European and local public authorities are promoting the maintenance and / or reinforcement of productive functions in the city, the MasterClass ‘Urban Production’ pursued the objective of better understanding the interactions between production in the city (productive activities in the urban environment) and the production of the city (the daily manufacture of fabrics and urban projects), and identifying the issues at stake. How can these dimensions of urban production be approached in an interdisciplinary perspective while taking into account the diversity of productive activities and the diversity of their modes of urban integration? To address this question, this MasterClass proposed to work on two analytical and methodological axes: one relating to the different types of productive activities in the city, the other to their modes of integration in the urban fabric and the role of urban policies in this regard. These two axes cross all the different parts of this publication. The first part of this publication, entitled ‘Context’, includes several texts that provide an understanding of the topic as it occurs in Brussels: the different types of productive activities and their historical development in the city (Jean-Michel. Decroly); the different planning tools and city planning imageries’ that have shaped the place and development of productive activities in this urban environment (Benoit Moritz); and the impact of European urban development policy on urbanistic and economic planning (Marine Declève). It also explains the methodology that has been set up to approach this topic during the MasterClass. The last text of this first part presents the three territories explored during this MasterClass. The methodology, thematics and territories of investigation were defined by a group of researchers from Metrolab (Louise Carlier, Romina Cornejo Escudero, Marine Declève, Jean-Michel Decroly, Christian Dessouroux, Geoffrey Grulois, Marco Ranzato, Mathilde Retout, Corentin Sanchez Trenado) in close collaboration with the two Metrolab managers (Sara Cesari and Louise Prouteau). The second part, entitled ‘Explorations’, has been co-produced with the MasterClass participants – researchers with diverse disciplinary and geographical backgrounds – who worked in close collaboration with economic actors, project leaders and institutional stakeholders from Brussels during those two intensive weeks of research. This part is divided into two sections: the first one, ‘production in the city’, proposed a descriptive analysis on different types of productive activities, based on specific case studies of companies in Brussels which differ both in their modes of production and in their modes of urban integration. The second one, ‘production of the city’, presents a prospective analysis of sites and projects intended for productive activities, whose programming and design were still under discussion during the MasterClass. Based on these case studies, this section addresses more broadly the issue of urban planning of productive activities. The third part of the publication, ‘Discussion’, includes critical insights on specific issues of urban production addressed during the MasterClass by experts in the field: the tension between old and new types of productive activities (Alexandre Orban & Corentin Sanchez Trenado), the importance of mixed use neighbourhoods for maintaining urban production (Adrian Hill); the difficulties encountered in preserving some monofunctional areas for industries in the city (Jan Zaman); the redeployment of neo-artisanal activities in urban spaces (based on the case of micro-breweries) (Pauline Delperdange & Marc Zune). This publication ends up with a conclusion by Metrolab researchers that looks back on the various paradoxes that can be observed between the intention to maintain productive activities in the city and the difficulties encountered in actual practice. It then proposes to address questions often left unanswered in reflections and debates on urban production: why should these activities be maintained in the city? Which activities should be publicly supported, and how? Beyond the matters of design, these questions invite us to consider the issues of inclusion and ecology in the world of urban production. Lastly, the publication also includes an appendix containing a listing of all the actors, institutions, plans and tools cited in this publication; in order to facilitate reading, each time one of them is cited, an asterix will refer you to this appendix. We hope the Brussels Urban Production MasterClass and this publication will provide insights for reflection and action on these issues and offer tools for further interdisciplinary research on these questions

Early life neonicotinoid exposure results in proximal benefits and ultimate carryover effects

Neonicotinoids are insecticides widely used as seed treatments that appear to have multiple negative effects on birds at a diversity of biological scales. Adult birds exposed to a low dose of imidacloprid, one of the most commonly used neonicotinoids, presented reduced fat stores, delayed migration and potentially altered orientation. However, little is known on the effect of imidacloprid on birds growth rate despite studies that have documented disruptive effects of low imidacloprid doses on thyroid gland communication. We performed a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment in Zebra finches, in which nestling birds were exposed to a very low dose (0.205 mg kg body mass - 1) of imidacloprid combined with food restriction during posthatch development. During the early developmental period, imidacloprid exposure resulted in an improvement of body condition index in treated nestlings relative to controls. Imidacloprid also led to compensatory growth in food restricted nestlings. This early life neonicotinoid exposure also carried over to adult age, with exposed birds showing higher lean mass and basal metabolic rate than controls at ages of 90–800 days. This study presents the first evidence that very low-dose neonicotinoid exposure during early life can permanently alter adult phenotype in birds

High contamination of a sentinel vertebrate species by azoles in vineyards: a study of common blackbirds (Turdus merula) in multiple habitats in western France

Azoles represent the most used family of organic fungicides worldwide and they are used in agriculture to circumvent the detrimental impact of fungi on yields. Although it is known that these triazoles can contaminate the air, the soil, and the water, field data are currently and dramatically lacking to assess if, and to what extent, the use of triazoles could contaminate non-target wild vertebrate species, notably in agroecosystems. In this study, we aimed to document for the first time the degree of blood contamination of a generalist wild bird species by multiple azoles which are used for plant protection and fungi pest control in various habitats. We deployed passive air samplers and captured 118 Common blackbirds (Turdus merula) in an agroecosystem (vineyard), a protected forest, and a city in western France. We collected blood and analyzed the plasma levels of 13 triazoles and 2 imidazoles. We found that a significant percentage of blackbirds living in vineyards have extremely high plasma levels of multiple azoles (means (pg.g−1); tebuconazole: 149.23, difenoconazole: 44.27, fenbuconazole: 239.38, tetraconazole: 1194.16), while contamination was very limited in the blackbirds from the protected forest and absent in urban blackbirds. Interestingly, we also report that the contamination of blackbirds living in vineyard was especially high at the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer and this matches perfectly with the results from the passive air samplers (i.e., high levels of azoles in the air of vineyards during June and July). However, we did not find any correlation between the levels of plasma contamination by azoles and two simple integrative biomarkers of health (feather density and body condition) in this sentinel species. Future experimental studies are now needed to assess the potential sub-lethal effects of such levels of contamination on the physiology of non-target vertebrate species

Experimental Exposure to Tebuconazole Affects Metabolism and Body Condition in a Passerine Bird, the House Sparrow ( Passer domesticus )

International audienceTriazole compounds are among the most widely used fungicides in agroecosystems to protect crops from potential fungal diseases. Triazoles are suspected to have an impact on nontarget species due to their interactions with nonfungal sterol synthesis, and wild birds are likely to be contaminated by triazole fungicides because many of them live in agroecosystems. We experimentally tested whether exposure to environmental concentrations of a triazole could alter key integrative traits (metabolic rates and body condition) of an agroecosystem sentinel species, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Wild-caught adult sparrows were maintained in captivity and exposed (exposed group) or not (control group) for 7 continuous months to tebuconazole through drinking water. The metabolic rates of exposed and control sparrows were then measured at two different temperatures (12 °C and 25 °C), which correspond, respectively, to the thermoregulation and thermoneutrality temperatures of this species. We found that exposed sparrows had lower resting metabolic rates (i.e., measured at thermoneutrality, 25 °C) than controls. However, the thermoregulatory metabolic rates (i.e., measured at 12 °C) did not differ between exposed and control sparrows. Although the body mass and condition were not measured at the beginning of the exposure, sparrows at the time of the metabolic measurements 7 months after the onset of such exposure had a higher body condition than controls, supporting further the idea that tebuconazole affects metabolic functions. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the use of tebuconazole can alter metabolism and could potentially lead to adverse effects in bird

Chronic exposure to tebuconazole alters thyroid hormones and plumage quality in house sparrows (Passer domesticus)

International audienceTriazoles belong to a family of fungicides that are ubiquitous in agroecosystems due to their widespread use in crops. Despite their efficiency in controlling fungal diseases, triazoles are also suspected to affect non-target vertebrate species through the disruption of key physiological mechanisms. Most studies so far have focused on aquatic animal models, and the potential impact of triazoles on terrestrial vertebrates has been overlooked despite their relevance as sentinel species of contaminated agroecosystems. Here, we examined the impact of tebuconazole on the thyroid endocrine axis, associated phenotypic traits (plumage quality and body condition) and sperm quality in wild-caught house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We experimentally exposed house sparrows to realistic concentrations of tebuconazole under controlled conditions and tested the impact of this exposure on the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), feather quality (size and density), body condition and sperm morphology. We found that exposure to tebuconazole caused a significant decrease in T4 levels, suggesting that this azole affects the thyroid endocrine axis, although T3 levels did not differ between control and exposed sparrows. Importantly, we also found that exposed females had an altered plumage structure (larger but less dense feathers) relative to control females. The impact of tebuconazole on body condition was dependent on the duration of exposure and the sex of individuals. Finally, we did not show any effect of exposure to tebuconazole on sperm morphology. Our study demonstrates for the first time that exposure to tebuconazole can alter the thyroid axis of wild birds, impact their plumage quality and potentially affect their body condition. Further endocrine and transcriptomic studies are now needed not only to understand the underlying mechanistic effects of tebuconazole on these variables, but also to further investigate their ultimate consequences on performance (i.e. reproduction and survival)