Studies on in vivo cholinesterase inhibition and poisoning symptoms in houseflies

Abstract

The amount of in vivo thoracic cholinesterase inhibited in houseflies at the time of knock-down was determined after the application of six different organophosphate anticholinesterases. For each compound, a specific level of inhibition was required for knock-down. The data clearly show that, when comparing the effects of different inhibitors, there was no one level of total cholinesterase inhibition which resulted in poisoning symptoms. The inhibition level at knock-down appeared to be inversely related to the reactivity of the organophosphate.