Abstract
The effect of dichlorvos on reproductive performance of laying hens was studied. Seven weeks old pullets with an average weight of 557.5 ± 9.5 g were divided into four groups and fed ad libitum with commercial poultry feeds contaminated with 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04% dichlorvos (w/v). The group without dichlorvos served as the control. Exposure to dichlorvos was continued until nine weeks after the hens started laying eggs. There was a significant reduction (p<0.05) in feed intake between the control group and those exposed to dichlorvos. Egg laying was delayed in the hens exposed to the pesticide by as much as eighteen weeks. The ages of the hens at first egg lay were 18 weeks for the control, 23 weeks for hens fed on 0.01 and 0.02% contaminated diet and 36 weeks for those fed on 0.04% contaminated diet. The average daily egg production was reduced from 5 eggs in the control group to 1 egg in 0.04% contaminated group. The protein contents of the egg (yolk and egg-white) and cholesterol level of the egg yolk were lowered in birds exposed to dichlorvos. There was no significant difference in the weight of eggs between the control and those exposed to pesticide. Results of this study suggest that exposure of laying hens to dichlorvos could affect their reproductive success. Key words: Dichlorvos, reproductive success, sexual maturity, egg laying hens.
Highlights
Use of pesticides in agriculture and domestic purposes may have adverse effects on humans and non-target animals
This study evaluates the effect of dichorvos on the reproductive performance of egg laying hens
There was a significant reduction (p
Summary
Use of pesticides in agriculture and domestic purposes may have adverse effects on humans and non-target animals. Dichlorvos is widely used as an insecticide to control household pests, in public health, protecting stored product from insects and control of parasites in livestock. Many environmental pollutants are known to cause reproductive toxicity and have resulted. The world-wide deaths and chronic diseases due to pesticide poisoning is about 1 million per year (Environews Forum, 1999). Environmental contaminants such as agricultural chemicals and industrial wastes have been reported to have adverse effect on the reproduction of birds exposed to them (Fry, 1995). Exposure to pesticides has been reported to cause decrease in egg production and embryo viability in birds (EPA, 2006). This study evaluates the effect of dichorvos on the reproductive performance of egg laying hens
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