INHIBICIÓN DE LA BUTIRILCOLINESTERASA EN EL GORRIÓN CASERO EXPUESTO A MALATIÓN

Abstract

The effect of malathion (organophosphate insecticide) on individuals of the house sparrow ( Passer domesticus ) caught in an agricultural area of the municipality of Durango, Mexico, was estimated. Butyrylcholinesterase is inhibited by organophosphorus insecticides, therefore, its previous and subsequent activity to the consumption of food treated with malathion was determined in 19 organisms by spectrophotometry. The results show a decrease in BChE activity (11.58 %) after treatment (p = 0.03). The possible relationship between the weight of the birds and BChE activity before and after exposure to the organophosphorus insecticide was explored but no correlation was found between these two variables (Pearson, r = 0.114), so it was decided not to use the variable weight as a covariate in the analyses to compare the enzymatic activity of the birds. The weight of the birds decreased on average 1.54 g after the exposure, possibly due to the stress of capture and the lack of adaptation to captivity. It is possible that the house sparrow and other birds that co-inhabit the agricultural areas where malathion is applied, as well as other organophosphorus insecticides, are prone to develop different levels of intoxication and that in some cases their health condition is compromised.