ISSN:
1432-0703
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Laboratory and field studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of the organophosphorus insecticide, azinphosmethyl, on bird populations and into the possibility of assessing toxic hazard by a non-destructive biomarker such as BChE inhibition. Japanese quail were treated with increasing doses of azinphos-methyl (0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg) and sacrificed 7 and 24 h later. Serum BChE and CbE, brain AChE, and liver microsomal CbE activities showed different patterns of inhibition. The maximum inhibition of BChE and CbE usually occurred 7 h after treatment, whereas the effect on AChE was greater at 24 h. A positive correlation was found between BChE and AChE, 7 and 24 h after treatment. This correlation could serve as the foundation for a theoretical model for assessing toxic hazard through non-destructive biomarkers. The only effect on brain AChE was detected in the group treated with the highest concentrations of azinphos-methyl (50 mg/kg). Fugacity model calculations showed that such massive concentrations are very unlikely to occur under natural conditions after agricultural use of the compound. The non-destructive biomarker was used to test a population of tree sparrows living in a cherry orchard sprayed once with azinphos-methyl. No inhibition of BChE activity was found 24 h after application, and it was therefore concluded that the concentration of the insecticide used did not constitute a hazard for the birds.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00224810
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