To study the influence of vitamin E and selenium on the toxicity of malathion, a group of chicks was orally administered malathion (50% EC) @ 10 mglkg body weight and other group was administered same dose of malathion and vitamin E-Seleniwn combination (10 mg/bird) daily for 8 weeks. The activity of enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine, aminotransferase in serum increased on malathion exposure whereas, supplementation with vitamin E and seleniwn partially counteraced this effect. The concentration of total proteins and albumin in serum decreased on administration of malathion, however this decrease was of low magnitude on vitamin E and selenium supplemenation. It is concluded that prolonged exposure of low dose malathion in chicks leads to significant biochemical changes but supplementation with vitamin E-seleniwn partially alleviates the toxic effects of malathion.
Malathion, vitamin E, selenium, broiler chicks
