Sublethal effects of subacute exposure to RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) in the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were orally exposed via gavage to 0, 0.5, 3, 8, 12, or 17 mg/kg of RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) in corn oil daily for 14 d to evaluate sublethal effects of this explosive in birds. Mortality occurred at a rates of 100, 67, and 25% for the 17, 12, and 8 mg/kg/d dose groups, respectively. Death was preceded by clonic and tonic convulsions and weight loss caused by gastrointestinal effects. Increases in serum globulin and total leukocytes were observed in the two highest-dose groups. Degeneration of testicular and splenic tissue also was observed. The no-observed-adverse-effects and lowest-observed-adverse-effects levels were determined as 3.0 and 8.0 mg/kg/d, respectively.