Phthalate diversity in eggs and associations with oxidative stress in the European herring gull (Larus argentatus)

Phthalates are plastic-derived contaminants that ubiquitous in natural environments and function as pro-oxidants. The extent to which phthalates bioaccumulate wild animals associations with oxidative stress poorly understood. Here, we describe relationships between maternally-derived phthalates, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) the dietary antioxidant α-tocopherol eggs of European herring gulls (Larus argentatus) Cornwall, UK. Up six phthalate parent compounds four metabolites were detected. Egg concentrations MDA positively associated dicyclohexyl (DCHP) negatively α-tocopherol, suggesting DCHP is gulls. consequences exposure ovo for offspring development warrants study.