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Influence of Dietary Intake of Malathion on the Haematology and Plasma Electrolytes in Chickens
1574
T. OOKAWA
Res. 4: 189-205. Stettner, L. J., and K. A. Matyniak, 1968. The brain of birds. Scientific Amer. 218: 64-76. Tarao, M., and T. Ookawa, 1969. On the electroencephalogram in the unilateral optic enucleated chick. Poultry Sci. 48: 1516-1517. Tradardi, V., 1966. Sleep in the pigeon. Arch. Ital. Biol. 104: 516-521. Tuge, H., Y. Kanayama and C. H. Yueh, 1960. Comparative studies on the development of EEG. Jap. J. Physiol. 10: 211-220. Van Tienhoven, A., 1969. The nervous system of birds: A review. Poultry Sci. 48: 10-16.
Van Tienhoven, A., and L. P. Juhasz, 1962. The chicken telencephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon in stereotaxic coordinates. J. Comp. Neurol. 118: 185-197. Van Twyver, H., and T. Allison, 1971a. Sleep in the pigeon. Paper presented at the APSS First International Congress, Bruges. Van Twyver, H., and T. Allison, 1971b. In: Sleep Bulletin, UCLA Brain Information Service, Univ. of California, Los Angeles, 83: 12 (October, 15). Wood-Gush, D. G. M., 1971. The Behaviour of the Domestic Fowl. Chapt. 5. Heinemann Educational Books, Ltd., London.
Influence of Dietary Intake of Malathion on the Haematology and Plasma Electrolytes in Chickens P. K. GUPTA AND B. S. PAUL Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana {India) (Received for publication January 11,1972) ABSTRACT Malathion is routinely employed for protecting grains from insects. In this communication, the feeding of 0.08 (800 p.p.m.) and 0.16 (1600 p.p.m.) percent malathion sprayed feed to chickens for one month on various haematological parameters and plasma electrolytes have been reported. A total of 90 chickens of both the sexes (2-3 months old) were used. The W.B.C. count was slightly increased with both the treatments and the maximal rise of the order of 5.26 thousand per cubic mililitre was seen with 1600 p.p.m. treatment on 20th day. The exact mechanism for the increase in W.B.C. is not understood. There was, however, no significant change in R.B.C. count, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood clotting time. The plasma level of sodium was gradually increased with 1600 p.p.m. treatment and the maximal rise of the order of 9.51 m eq./l. was noticed on 30th day of treatment. The values remained elevated even after stopping the treatment. There was, however, no adverse effect on plasma levels of potassium. The possible pharmacodynamic for the increase in plasma level of sodium has been explained due to the stimulation of aldosterone secretion as a result of reduction in cardiac output produced by anticholinesterase (malathion) agents. POULTRY SCIENCE 51: 1574-1577, 1972
AMONG the organic group of phos-^*- phorus insecticides, malathion has shown a great promise for the control of ectoparasites in all species of animals including poultry. Local application of malathion, lindane, dieldrin and DDT have been reported to cause significant inhibition of haemoglobin and R.B.C. (Srivastava et al., 1960). Recently Hothi (1970), reported a decrease in haemoglobin, R.B.C. count and packed cell volume (P.C.V.) and an increase in
W.B.C. and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) in buffalo calves intoxicated with malathion. Malathion is also routinely employed for protecting grains from insects. There is, however, no information available on the physiological and biochemical effects produced by feeding malathion sprayed feed in chickens. In the present communication, the effect of dietary intake of malathion on the blood picture and plasma electrolytes in chicken is reported.
1575
MALATHION AND HAEMATOLOGY METHOD AND MATERIAL
RESULTS
A total of 90 chickens of both sexes (2 to 3 months age) were divided into 3 groups. The first group served as control and groups 2 and 3 were fed with 0.08 (800 p.p.m.) and 0.16 (1600 p.p.m.) percent malathion sprayed feed respectively for one month. Thereafter, the chickens were placed on normal feed. Five chickens were selected at random from each group at various time intervals and 5 to 6 ml. of blood was drawn directly from the heart into the previously citrated tube. The haematological parameters, namely R.B.C. and W.B.C. count by using the method of Michael and Herrick (1952), blood clotting time by the method of Awad and Morios (1960), and E.S.R. and P.C.V. by the technique of Wintrobe (1961), were determined. The estimation of plasma sodium and potassium was done by the method of Hawk et al. (1965) by using a flame photometer.
Haematology. The effects of feeding 0.08 and 0.16 percent malathion sprayed feed to chickens for one month on various haematological parameters is presented in Table 1. It is evident from the table that there is no significant change in R.B.C. count, packed cell volume (P.C.V.), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) and blood clotting time (B.C.T.). The W.B.C. count was slightly increased by both the treatments and the maximal rise with 0.08 percent treatment was of the order of 3.46 thousand per cubic millimeter which occurred on 30th day and with 0.16 percent it was of the order of 5.26 thousand per cubic millimeter on 20th day.
TABLE 1.—Effect No.
of feeding malathion sprayed feed on various haematological parameters in chickens
Parameter
1. R.B.C. count (in millions
per cubic millimeter)
2 . W.B.C. count (in thousands
per cubic millimeter)
3 . Packed cell volume
Treatment (Malathion)
Control*
0.08
%
4 . Erythrocyte sedimentation
rate (in mm. per 24 hours)
(in minutes)
Time in days during treatment
Post treat ment (days)
3
10
20
30
3
10
2.855 ±0.1781
2.909 ±0.260
2.865 ±0.260
2.780 ±0.130
2.858 ±0.80
2.917 ±0.020
2.921 ±0.090
0.16
2.855 ±0.1781
2.861 ±0.80
2.787 ±0.90
2.757 ±0.190
2.818 ±0.070
2.915 ±0.070
3.049 ±0.100
0.08
19.54 ±0.2419
20.00 ±0.45
20.20 ±0.97
20.80 ±0.58
23.00 ±1.52
20.20 ±0.46
21.20 ±0.97
0.16
19.54 ±0.2419
22.20 ±0.58
22.40 ±0.81
24.80 ±0.58
23.40 ±1.44
21.60 ±1.47
19.80 ±0.20
0.08
30.25 ±0.3883
32.00 ±1.35
31.90 ±1.09
31.30 ±0.80
30.30 ±0.66
31.60 ±1.17
30.50 ±0.55
0.16
30.25 ±0.3883
32.00 ±0.88
31.90 ±0.86
30.70 ±0.77
30.40 ±0.51
32.10 ±0.75
30.40 ±0.93
0.08
54.44 ±0.6065
54.20 ±2.11
54.10 ±0.90
53.40 ±1.30
51.60 ±1.03
54.60 ±1.56
55.60 ±2.29
0.16
54.44 ±0.6065
54.40 ±1.21
53.60 ±1.50
53.20 ±1.56
56.20 ±1.36
52.10 ±1.79
54.30 ±1.86
0.08
3.27 ±0.0059
3.48 ±0.16
3.01 ±0.23
2.88 ±0.20
3.34 ±0.09
2.96 ±0.23
3.19 ±0.19
0.16
3.27 ±0.0059
3.16 ±0.10
3.32 ±0.83
3.15 ±0.17
3.11 ±0.22
3.26 ±0.08
3.45 ±0.16
(in percent)
5 . Blood clotting time
Plasma Electrolytes. Table 2 shows that chickens treated with 0.16 percent malathion sprayed feed produced gradual increase in sodium level, and on 3rd day the
* In case of control group the mean value of all the time intervals was taken because there was very little variation.
1576
P. K. GUPTA AND B. S. PAUL TABLE 2.—Effect
No.
Parameter
of feeding malathion sprayed feed on the plasma electrolytes in chickens Treatment (Malathion)
Time in days during treatment
Control*
Post treat!nent (days) 3
10
1. Concentration of sodium in plasma (in m. eq./l.)
0.08
149.69 ±0.3822
148.70 ±2.18
149.20 ±2.06
149.00 ±1.86
150.00 ±4.12
148.90 ±0.91
148.60 ±0.61
0.16
149.69 ±0.3822
153.10 ±1.42
159.00 ±3.70
158.00 ±2.47
159.20 ±1.91
156.10 ±2.44
151.90 ±2.27
2. Concentration of potassium in plasma (in m. eq./l.).
0.08
4.83 ±0.0379
4.81 ±0.04
4.85 ±0.25
4.91 ±0.15
4.86 ±0.11
4.97 ±0.15
4.88 ±0.15
0.16
4.83 ±0.0379
4.93 ±0.15
4.89 ±0.02
4.89 ±0.16
5.05 ±0.12
4.93 ±0.09
4.88 ±0.11
%
3
10
20
30
* In case of control group the mean value of all the time intervals was taken because there was very little variation.
rise was of the order of 3.41 m eq./litre and the maximal rise was by 9.51 m eq./ litre from the control noticed on 30th day. The value did not return to normal after stopping the treatment and on 10th day of stopping there was rise by 2.21 m eq./ litre from the control. There was no effect on the potassium level of plasma with both the treatments. DISCUSSION
The results indicate that feeding with malathion sprayed feed in 0.08 and 0.16 percent concentration in chicken for one month did not produce any marked effect on haematological parameters except that there was a slight increase in W.B.C. count with both the treatments (0.08 and 0.16 percent) especially with the latter. Rehfeld et al. (1969), also reported that there was no apparent effect on the hemoglobin levels in one-day old chicks after feeding a malathion level of 1000 p.p.m. in the feed. Malathion in concentration of 0.075 percent is recommended for spraying crops against pests (Anon., 1970) and in this study one of the concentrations i.e. 0.08 percent used is not much different from the recommended concentrations and the other was doubled to see if any untowards effect on various parameters in the chickens would be seen. The increase in W.B.C. was of the order of 17.7 percent and 26.4 percent with 0.08 and
0.16 percent concentrations of malathion, respectively. This increase may be due to some internal manifestation produced by malathion which is not sufficient to produce any apparent symptoms in the birds. Similar increase in W.B.C. has also been reported in buffalo calves after malathion treatment by Hothi (1970). The occurrence of leucocytosis in a variety of toxic conditions have also been reported by Wintrobe (1961) and Florey (1962). The exact mechanism for the increase in W.B.C. as a result of insecticidal toxicity is not understood. The studies on the level of electrolytes show that there was no adverse effect on plasma sodium with 0.08 percent, but after 0.16 percent treatment, the sodium level increased to 2.3 percent after 3rd day and the maximal rise of 6.35 percent was noticed on 30th day of treatment. The values remained elevated even after stopping the treatment. It was of the order of 1.5 percent on the 10th day following censation of sprayed feed. There was, however, no change in the potassium level either treatment. The exact mechanism for the increase in the plasma sodium cannot be definitely explained. However, the influence of some hormonal mechanism response for sodium retention possibly through the stimulation of aldosterone secretion cannot be ruled out (Harper, 1965). Koelle (1970) reports that the predominant effect of anticho-
MALATHION AND HAEMATOLOGY linesterase agents on cardio-vascular syst e m is t o r e d u c e c a r d i a c o u t p u t a s a r e s u l t of b r a d y c a r d i a a n d n e g a t i v e i n o t r o p i c effects. T h e r e d u c t i o n in c a r d i a c o u t p u t s t i m u l a t e s t h e s e c r e t i o n of a l d o s t e r o n e f r o m a d r e n a l c o r t e x ( G u y t o n , 1966). ACKNOWLEDGMENT T h e financial a s s i s t a n c e f r o m I n d i a n C o u n c i l of M e d i c a l R e s e a r c h , N e w D e l h i , is highly acknowledged. REFERENCES Anon. 1970. Handbook. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, pp. 236. Awad, Y. L., and M. B. Morios, 1960. Coagulation time of horses. Egypt. Brit. Vet. J. 116: 115-116. Florey, L., 1962. General Pathology, 3rd Ed., Medical Book Ltd., London, pp. 220. C-uyton, A. C , 1966. Textbook of Medical Physiology, W. B. Saunders Co., London, pp. 495. Harper, M. A., 1965. Review of Physiological
1577
Chemistry, Kothari Book Depot, Parel, Bombay, India, pp. 394. Hawk, P. B., B. L. Oser and W. H. Summerson, 1965. Physiological Chemistry, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, N. Y. Hothi, D. B., 1970. Toxicity of aldrin and malathion in buffaloe calves. M.Sc. Thesis, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludiana, India. Koelle, G. B., 1970. Anticholinesterase agents. In: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. L. S. Goodman and A. Gilman ed. Macmillan Co., London, pp. 451. Michael, P. N., and C. A. Herrick, 1952. A new blood diluent for counting the erythrocytes and leucocytes of the chicken. Poultry Sci. 31: 735-738. Rehfeld, B. M., D. E. Pratt and M. L. Sunde, 1969. Effect of various levels of dietary malathion on performance of chicks. Poultry Sci. 48: 17181723. Srivastava, B. K., H. C. Saxena and J. C. Sharma, 1960. Influence of dietary intake of certain insecticides on the hemoglobin and erythrocyte contents of chick blood. Nature, 186: 172-173. Wintrobe, M. M., 1961. Clinical Hematology, 5th Ed., Philadelphia, U. S., Lea and Fibiger, pp. 381.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 1526) Auburn University, School of Medicine, $5,000 to the Development Fund; Colorado State University, Department of Animal Science, $5,000, the final installment of a 3year, $15,000 grant for education in beef cattle nutrition; Kansas State University, College of Agriculture, Department of Grain Science and Industry, $2,500, final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in feed mixing technology; Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, $5,000 to the Dean's Discretionary Fund; Pennsylvania State University, Department of Animal Science, $2,500, the final installment of a -3-year, $7,500 grant for education in horse nutrition; Tuskeegee Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, $5,000, the final installment of a 3-year, -$15,000 grant for veterinary medical education; University of Georgia, School of Veterinary Medicine, $5,000, the final installment of a 2-year, $10,000 grant to support the Master of Avian Medicine program;
University of Kentucky, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in parasitology; University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in virus diseases; University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $10,000 grant for education in parasitology; University of Nebraska, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in parasitology. In 1970 the New York State Veterinary College, Cornell University, received $5,000, as the second payment of a $10,000 grant for education in poultry diseases; and the Department of Animal Sciences, University of New Hampshire, received $5,000 as the second payment of a $10,000 grant for education in poultry parasitology. The Merck Company Foundation is supported financially by Merck & Co., Inc. to provide financial support for a variety of projects in the fields of education, health and social welfare in the
(Continued on page 1600)
T. OOKAWA
Res. 4: 189-205. Stettner, L. J., and K. A. Matyniak, 1968. The brain of birds. Scientific Amer. 218: 64-76. Tarao, M., and T. Ookawa, 1969. On the electroencephalogram in the unilateral optic enucleated chick. Poultry Sci. 48: 1516-1517. Tradardi, V., 1966. Sleep in the pigeon. Arch. Ital. Biol. 104: 516-521. Tuge, H., Y. Kanayama and C. H. Yueh, 1960. Comparative studies on the development of EEG. Jap. J. Physiol. 10: 211-220. Van Tienhoven, A., 1969. The nervous system of birds: A review. Poultry Sci. 48: 10-16.
Van Tienhoven, A., and L. P. Juhasz, 1962. The chicken telencephalon, diencephalon and mesencephalon in stereotaxic coordinates. J. Comp. Neurol. 118: 185-197. Van Twyver, H., and T. Allison, 1971a. Sleep in the pigeon. Paper presented at the APSS First International Congress, Bruges. Van Twyver, H., and T. Allison, 1971b. In: Sleep Bulletin, UCLA Brain Information Service, Univ. of California, Los Angeles, 83: 12 (October, 15). Wood-Gush, D. G. M., 1971. The Behaviour of the Domestic Fowl. Chapt. 5. Heinemann Educational Books, Ltd., London.
Influence of Dietary Intake of Malathion on the Haematology and Plasma Electrolytes in Chickens P. K. GUPTA AND B. S. PAUL Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana {India) (Received for publication January 11,1972) ABSTRACT Malathion is routinely employed for protecting grains from insects. In this communication, the feeding of 0.08 (800 p.p.m.) and 0.16 (1600 p.p.m.) percent malathion sprayed feed to chickens for one month on various haematological parameters and plasma electrolytes have been reported. A total of 90 chickens of both the sexes (2-3 months old) were used. The W.B.C. count was slightly increased with both the treatments and the maximal rise of the order of 5.26 thousand per cubic mililitre was seen with 1600 p.p.m. treatment on 20th day. The exact mechanism for the increase in W.B.C. is not understood. There was, however, no significant change in R.B.C. count, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and blood clotting time. The plasma level of sodium was gradually increased with 1600 p.p.m. treatment and the maximal rise of the order of 9.51 m eq./l. was noticed on 30th day of treatment. The values remained elevated even after stopping the treatment. There was, however, no adverse effect on plasma levels of potassium. The possible pharmacodynamic for the increase in plasma level of sodium has been explained due to the stimulation of aldosterone secretion as a result of reduction in cardiac output produced by anticholinesterase (malathion) agents. POULTRY SCIENCE 51: 1574-1577, 1972
AMONG the organic group of phos-^*- phorus insecticides, malathion has shown a great promise for the control of ectoparasites in all species of animals including poultry. Local application of malathion, lindane, dieldrin and DDT have been reported to cause significant inhibition of haemoglobin and R.B.C. (Srivastava et al., 1960). Recently Hothi (1970), reported a decrease in haemoglobin, R.B.C. count and packed cell volume (P.C.V.) and an increase in
W.B.C. and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) in buffalo calves intoxicated with malathion. Malathion is also routinely employed for protecting grains from insects. There is, however, no information available on the physiological and biochemical effects produced by feeding malathion sprayed feed in chickens. In the present communication, the effect of dietary intake of malathion on the blood picture and plasma electrolytes in chicken is reported.
1575
MALATHION AND HAEMATOLOGY METHOD AND MATERIAL
RESULTS
A total of 90 chickens of both sexes (2 to 3 months age) were divided into 3 groups. The first group served as control and groups 2 and 3 were fed with 0.08 (800 p.p.m.) and 0.16 (1600 p.p.m.) percent malathion sprayed feed respectively for one month. Thereafter, the chickens were placed on normal feed. Five chickens were selected at random from each group at various time intervals and 5 to 6 ml. of blood was drawn directly from the heart into the previously citrated tube. The haematological parameters, namely R.B.C. and W.B.C. count by using the method of Michael and Herrick (1952), blood clotting time by the method of Awad and Morios (1960), and E.S.R. and P.C.V. by the technique of Wintrobe (1961), were determined. The estimation of plasma sodium and potassium was done by the method of Hawk et al. (1965) by using a flame photometer.
Haematology. The effects of feeding 0.08 and 0.16 percent malathion sprayed feed to chickens for one month on various haematological parameters is presented in Table 1. It is evident from the table that there is no significant change in R.B.C. count, packed cell volume (P.C.V.), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) and blood clotting time (B.C.T.). The W.B.C. count was slightly increased by both the treatments and the maximal rise with 0.08 percent treatment was of the order of 3.46 thousand per cubic millimeter which occurred on 30th day and with 0.16 percent it was of the order of 5.26 thousand per cubic millimeter on 20th day.
TABLE 1.—Effect No.
of feeding malathion sprayed feed on various haematological parameters in chickens
Parameter
1. R.B.C. count (in millions
per cubic millimeter)
2 . W.B.C. count (in thousands
per cubic millimeter)
3 . Packed cell volume
Treatment (Malathion)
Control*
0.08
%
4 . Erythrocyte sedimentation
rate (in mm. per 24 hours)
(in minutes)
Time in days during treatment
Post treat ment (days)
3
10
20
30
3
10
2.855 ±0.1781
2.909 ±0.260
2.865 ±0.260
2.780 ±0.130
2.858 ±0.80
2.917 ±0.020
2.921 ±0.090
0.16
2.855 ±0.1781
2.861 ±0.80
2.787 ±0.90
2.757 ±0.190
2.818 ±0.070
2.915 ±0.070
3.049 ±0.100
0.08
19.54 ±0.2419
20.00 ±0.45
20.20 ±0.97
20.80 ±0.58
23.00 ±1.52
20.20 ±0.46
21.20 ±0.97
0.16
19.54 ±0.2419
22.20 ±0.58
22.40 ±0.81
24.80 ±0.58
23.40 ±1.44
21.60 ±1.47
19.80 ±0.20
0.08
30.25 ±0.3883
32.00 ±1.35
31.90 ±1.09
31.30 ±0.80
30.30 ±0.66
31.60 ±1.17
30.50 ±0.55
0.16
30.25 ±0.3883
32.00 ±0.88
31.90 ±0.86
30.70 ±0.77
30.40 ±0.51
32.10 ±0.75
30.40 ±0.93
0.08
54.44 ±0.6065
54.20 ±2.11
54.10 ±0.90
53.40 ±1.30
51.60 ±1.03
54.60 ±1.56
55.60 ±2.29
0.16
54.44 ±0.6065
54.40 ±1.21
53.60 ±1.50
53.20 ±1.56
56.20 ±1.36
52.10 ±1.79
54.30 ±1.86
0.08
3.27 ±0.0059
3.48 ±0.16
3.01 ±0.23
2.88 ±0.20
3.34 ±0.09
2.96 ±0.23
3.19 ±0.19
0.16
3.27 ±0.0059
3.16 ±0.10
3.32 ±0.83
3.15 ±0.17
3.11 ±0.22
3.26 ±0.08
3.45 ±0.16
(in percent)
5 . Blood clotting time
Plasma Electrolytes. Table 2 shows that chickens treated with 0.16 percent malathion sprayed feed produced gradual increase in sodium level, and on 3rd day the
* In case of control group the mean value of all the time intervals was taken because there was very little variation.
1576
P. K. GUPTA AND B. S. PAUL TABLE 2.—Effect
No.
Parameter
of feeding malathion sprayed feed on the plasma electrolytes in chickens Treatment (Malathion)
Time in days during treatment
Control*
Post treat!nent (days) 3
10
1. Concentration of sodium in plasma (in m. eq./l.)
0.08
149.69 ±0.3822
148.70 ±2.18
149.20 ±2.06
149.00 ±1.86
150.00 ±4.12
148.90 ±0.91
148.60 ±0.61
0.16
149.69 ±0.3822
153.10 ±1.42
159.00 ±3.70
158.00 ±2.47
159.20 ±1.91
156.10 ±2.44
151.90 ±2.27
2. Concentration of potassium in plasma (in m. eq./l.).
0.08
4.83 ±0.0379
4.81 ±0.04
4.85 ±0.25
4.91 ±0.15
4.86 ±0.11
4.97 ±0.15
4.88 ±0.15
0.16
4.83 ±0.0379
4.93 ±0.15
4.89 ±0.02
4.89 ±0.16
5.05 ±0.12
4.93 ±0.09
4.88 ±0.11
%
3
10
20
30
* In case of control group the mean value of all the time intervals was taken because there was very little variation.
rise was of the order of 3.41 m eq./litre and the maximal rise was by 9.51 m eq./ litre from the control noticed on 30th day. The value did not return to normal after stopping the treatment and on 10th day of stopping there was rise by 2.21 m eq./ litre from the control. There was no effect on the potassium level of plasma with both the treatments. DISCUSSION
The results indicate that feeding with malathion sprayed feed in 0.08 and 0.16 percent concentration in chicken for one month did not produce any marked effect on haematological parameters except that there was a slight increase in W.B.C. count with both the treatments (0.08 and 0.16 percent) especially with the latter. Rehfeld et al. (1969), also reported that there was no apparent effect on the hemoglobin levels in one-day old chicks after feeding a malathion level of 1000 p.p.m. in the feed. Malathion in concentration of 0.075 percent is recommended for spraying crops against pests (Anon., 1970) and in this study one of the concentrations i.e. 0.08 percent used is not much different from the recommended concentrations and the other was doubled to see if any untowards effect on various parameters in the chickens would be seen. The increase in W.B.C. was of the order of 17.7 percent and 26.4 percent with 0.08 and
0.16 percent concentrations of malathion, respectively. This increase may be due to some internal manifestation produced by malathion which is not sufficient to produce any apparent symptoms in the birds. Similar increase in W.B.C. has also been reported in buffalo calves after malathion treatment by Hothi (1970). The occurrence of leucocytosis in a variety of toxic conditions have also been reported by Wintrobe (1961) and Florey (1962). The exact mechanism for the increase in W.B.C. as a result of insecticidal toxicity is not understood. The studies on the level of electrolytes show that there was no adverse effect on plasma sodium with 0.08 percent, but after 0.16 percent treatment, the sodium level increased to 2.3 percent after 3rd day and the maximal rise of 6.35 percent was noticed on 30th day of treatment. The values remained elevated even after stopping the treatment. It was of the order of 1.5 percent on the 10th day following censation of sprayed feed. There was, however, no change in the potassium level either treatment. The exact mechanism for the increase in the plasma sodium cannot be definitely explained. However, the influence of some hormonal mechanism response for sodium retention possibly through the stimulation of aldosterone secretion cannot be ruled out (Harper, 1965). Koelle (1970) reports that the predominant effect of anticho-
MALATHION AND HAEMATOLOGY linesterase agents on cardio-vascular syst e m is t o r e d u c e c a r d i a c o u t p u t a s a r e s u l t of b r a d y c a r d i a a n d n e g a t i v e i n o t r o p i c effects. T h e r e d u c t i o n in c a r d i a c o u t p u t s t i m u l a t e s t h e s e c r e t i o n of a l d o s t e r o n e f r o m a d r e n a l c o r t e x ( G u y t o n , 1966). ACKNOWLEDGMENT T h e financial a s s i s t a n c e f r o m I n d i a n C o u n c i l of M e d i c a l R e s e a r c h , N e w D e l h i , is highly acknowledged. REFERENCES Anon. 1970. Handbook. Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, pp. 236. Awad, Y. L., and M. B. Morios, 1960. Coagulation time of horses. Egypt. Brit. Vet. J. 116: 115-116. Florey, L., 1962. General Pathology, 3rd Ed., Medical Book Ltd., London, pp. 220. C-uyton, A. C , 1966. Textbook of Medical Physiology, W. B. Saunders Co., London, pp. 495. Harper, M. A., 1965. Review of Physiological
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Chemistry, Kothari Book Depot, Parel, Bombay, India, pp. 394. Hawk, P. B., B. L. Oser and W. H. Summerson, 1965. Physiological Chemistry, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, N. Y. Hothi, D. B., 1970. Toxicity of aldrin and malathion in buffaloe calves. M.Sc. Thesis, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludiana, India. Koelle, G. B., 1970. Anticholinesterase agents. In: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. L. S. Goodman and A. Gilman ed. Macmillan Co., London, pp. 451. Michael, P. N., and C. A. Herrick, 1952. A new blood diluent for counting the erythrocytes and leucocytes of the chicken. Poultry Sci. 31: 735-738. Rehfeld, B. M., D. E. Pratt and M. L. Sunde, 1969. Effect of various levels of dietary malathion on performance of chicks. Poultry Sci. 48: 17181723. Srivastava, B. K., H. C. Saxena and J. C. Sharma, 1960. Influence of dietary intake of certain insecticides on the hemoglobin and erythrocyte contents of chick blood. Nature, 186: 172-173. Wintrobe, M. M., 1961. Clinical Hematology, 5th Ed., Philadelphia, U. S., Lea and Fibiger, pp. 381.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 1526) Auburn University, School of Medicine, $5,000 to the Development Fund; Colorado State University, Department of Animal Science, $5,000, the final installment of a 3year, $15,000 grant for education in beef cattle nutrition; Kansas State University, College of Agriculture, Department of Grain Science and Industry, $2,500, final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in feed mixing technology; Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, $5,000 to the Dean's Discretionary Fund; Pennsylvania State University, Department of Animal Science, $2,500, the final installment of a -3-year, $7,500 grant for education in horse nutrition; Tuskeegee Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, $5,000, the final installment of a 3-year, -$15,000 grant for veterinary medical education; University of Georgia, School of Veterinary Medicine, $5,000, the final installment of a 2-year, $10,000 grant to support the Master of Avian Medicine program;
University of Kentucky, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in parasitology; University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in virus diseases; University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $10,000 grant for education in parasitology; University of Nebraska, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, $2,500, the final installment of a 3-year, $7,500 grant for education in parasitology. In 1970 the New York State Veterinary College, Cornell University, received $5,000, as the second payment of a $10,000 grant for education in poultry diseases; and the Department of Animal Sciences, University of New Hampshire, received $5,000 as the second payment of a $10,000 grant for education in poultry parasitology. The Merck Company Foundation is supported financially by Merck & Co., Inc. to provide financial support for a variety of projects in the fields of education, health and social welfare in the
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