ijvp

Indian Journal of Veterinary Pathology

0250-47580973-970X

Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists

ijvp-35-2-abs005

ABSTRACTS OF DISSERTATIONS OR ARTICLES

Toxicopathological studies on alphamethrin in broiler chicks

Narayani¹Mondal

Dr.¹

¹Degree/Year: M.V.Sc./2010, Name of the University: Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, C.G.

1122011

352246246

2011

IndianJournals.com

The synthetic pyrethroids, a new generation insecticides of high bioefficacy are gaining wide acceptance for insect control all over the world. Instances of poisoning in animals due to alphamethrin are increasing day by day because of its indiscriminate use. So, the present study was undertaken to establish the detailed toxicobiological effects (acute and subacute) of alphamethrin in broiler birds. In acute toxicity study, the approximate lethal dose of alphamethrin in broiler chicks was determined as 1013 mg/kg body weight. During acute toxicity, intoxicated chicks clinically developed extreme dullness, depression, anorexia, open mouth breathing, incoordination in movement, resting the head on support, lacrimation followed by tremors, convulsion, coma and death within 25 minutes of administration. Grossly, there were congestion in most of the organs like liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, thigh muscle and spleen. Histopathologically, treated birds showed severe depletion of lymphocyte population from thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen, severe congestion in brain, degenerative and necrotic changes along with mononuclear cell infiltration in liver, congestion and haemmorhage in lungs and congestion, degeneration and necrosis in kidneys. Subacute alphamethrin toxicity was produced in a total number of eighty healthy broiler chicks randomly divided into four equal groups of 20 each (Gr. I, II, III and IV). All chicks of group II, III and IV were orally administered alphamethrin @25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively daily for 28 days. Subacute toxicity comprised of clinical pathological changes, evaluation of immune responses and pathomorphological changes. During subacute toxicity, body weight gain, feed intake and FCR were not significantly affected. No significant changes were observed in the weights of heart, liver, spleen, proventriculus, gizzard, thymus and bursa of Fabricious. The weight of kidneys, brain and lungs were changed significantly (P≤0.05). Haematological changes included a significant (P≤0.01) erythrocytopaenia in chicks of group III and IV. There was a significant (P≤0.01) increase in MCV values in birds of group III and IV. Total leucocyte count was significantly (P≤0.01) decreased in group II, III and IV. Significant (P≤0.01) increase in heterophil percentage was recorded in chicks of group III and IV whereas there was no significant change in PCV, Hb, MCH, MCHC and percentage of eosinophil, basophil and monocyte. Biochemically, intoxicated chicks had significant (P≤0.05, 0.01) hypoproteinaemia in all treated groups and significant (P≤0.05, 0.01) hyperglycaemia in group III and IV. Serum enzymatic activity consisted of significant (P≤0.01) increase in AST values in chicks of all groups and highly significant (P≤0.01) increase in ALT and ALP in treated chicks of group III and IV. There was significant (P≤0.01) depression of CMI in alphamethrin treated broiler chicks as measured by DNFB skin contact sensitization test. Humoral immunity was not much affected. Severity of pathological changes was dose dependent. Pathomorphological changes in chicks of group III and IV were higher than group II. Gross pathological changes comprised of congestion and haemorrhages in liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, thymus, brain and thigh muscles. Enlargement of heart, kidneys and bursa of Fabricious was also recorded in subacute toxicity. Microscopically, treated birds showed varying degrees of congestion and haemorrhages in liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, thymus and brain. There were degenerative and necrotic changes along with mononuclear cell infiltration in the liver. Kidneys showed severe degenerative and necrotic changes in the convoluted tubules depicting toxic nephritis. Mild degenerative and necrotic changes were also found in brain. There was severe lymphocytolysis in the germinal centre of the spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus. The present study of alphamethrin toxicity in broiler birds clearly showed that alphamethrin caused hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and immunosuppression along with vascular, degenerative and necrotic changes and inflammatory reactions in different visceral organs.