Biochemical changes induced by daily oral administration of quinalphos at the dose rate of 50 and 100 μg/kg body weight and imidacloprid at the dose rate of 1 and 2 mg/kg body weight to WLH cockerels for 28 days were investigated. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals and were analyzed for various biochemical parameters. None of the birds displayed any visible signs of toxicity, however, insecticide treated birds showed less body weight gain as compared to control. Both the insecticides caused increase in plasma glucose, SGOT and SGPT levels. Total cholesterol, hemoglobin and pack cell volume were not affected. Quinalphos showed marked inhibition of cholinesterase activity in plasma where as imidacloprid did not show any sign of inhibition. The results suggested that short-term exposure of Quinalphos and Imidacloprid might produce stress in poultry birds.
Quinalphos, imidacloprid, toxicity, cockerels
