BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN SERUM OF CHICKENS AFTER PROLONGED ADMINISTRATION OF A FUNGICIDE PROPINE

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of propineb “antracol” (a fungicide of propylene bisdithiocarbamate group) on some enzymatic activities and biochemical constituents in serum of chickens. Ninety-one day old chicks were divided into two groups (45 each). Birds of the first group were fed on balanced ration for ten weeks and kept as control group.The chicks of the second group were kept on a ration containing the drug in a rate of 1 g/kg ration for six weeks (first phase) followed by four weeks where the ration was free from the drug (second phase). Blood samples were collected by slaughtering five chickens from each group weekly. The study revealed that antracol increased serum AST and ALT activities and bilirubin content while significant decrease in cholinesterase activity was recorded. Blood glucose and cholesterol levels were increased during 3rd and 4th weeks then began to decrease. Serum total protein content was increased, as a result of elevation in the albumin level. Creatinine level was increased from the 7th to the 12th weeks of the experiment, also potassium content was increased. On the other hand, sodium level was decreased.