Individual and combined toxicopathology of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in broiler chickens

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the individual and combined toxicopathology of chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in broiler chickens. Broiler chicks (80), day-old, were divided into four groups. Group T1 served as control, whereas Group T2 was treated with chlorpyrifos @ 50 mg/kg feed, T3 with cypermethrin @ 200 mg/kg feed and T4 with chlorpyrifos @ 50 mg/kg + cypermethrin @ 200 mg/kg feed for 4 weeks. During 5th week, the dietary treatment was withdrawn and observed for withdrawal effect. At the end of 4th and 5th week, six birds from each group were sacrificed and examined for gross and histopathological changes. Microscopically, liver showed mild to extensive granular and vacuolar changes, necrosis and lymphoid aggregation. Granular and vacuolar changes in tubular epithelium along with necrosis of tubules and detachment of tubule from the basement membrane were observed in kidneys. Heart showed varying degrees of degenerative changes in cardiac muscle fibres. Intestine showed diffuse degenerative changes along with necrosis and fusion of villi. Brain showed mild to moderate degenerative changes and neuronophagia. Sciatic nerve showed degenerative changes along with infiltration of mononuclear cell and swelling of axons. The lesions were more prominent in combined toxicity group. However, at 7th day post withdrawal, restoration towards normal parenchyma was observed in visceral organs. Ultra structure of liver at 4th week revealed pronounced pathological lesions in cell organelles. Thus it can be concluded that chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin induced adverse toxic effect individually as well as in combination.