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Nat. Env. & Poll. Tech.
Website: www.neptjournal.com
Received: 10-09-2016
Accepted: 19-10-2016
Key Words:
Broiler chickens
Ziram fungicide
Lymphoid tissue
ABSTRACT
The present experimental work was conducted to elucidate the pathological changes in broiler chickens after ziram intoxication. For this study 120 apparently healthy broiler chicks were reared up to 2 weeks of age and allocated randomly to two groups, i.e. sub-chronic toxicity (N=90) and control group (N=30). Toxicity was induced in broiler chicks by giving 1 mg/kg body weight per day for the study period of 90 days in case of sub-chronic intoxication. At the end of the experimental period the investigations revealed depletion of lymphoid tissue from the lymphoid organs which were suggestive of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory effects of ziram in chicken.
INTRODUCTION
Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest. There are many groups of pesticides which are commonly used in agriculture. These include algicides, bactericides, insecticides, fungicides, acaricides, molluscicides, nematicides, rodenticides and virucides. Among these, fungicides and insecticides are commonly used in agriculture. Fungicides are chemical compounds or biological organisms used to kill or inhibit fungi or fungal spores. The fungicides which are commonly used in orchards of Jammu and Kashmir State include Capton, Dithionon, Mancozeb, Zineb and Ziram. Ziram is used widely on fruit and nut trees, apples, vegetables and tobacco. The indiscriminate use of fungicides and pesticides on fruit crops has led to the decline of many birds and beneficial insect populations. Insects feeding on the sap of the apple tree or buds die instantly during the spraying of these pesticides. After eating the poisoned insects, the birds become drowsy and are not able to fly (Ajaz 2010). Although there are benefits of the use of pesticides, but on the other hand, toxicity of pesticides to humans, birds and other animals pose a potential threat. Keeping in view the paucity of information regarding the toxicity of the chemical, this study was undertaken to observe pathological changes in broiler chickens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total number of 120 healthy broiler chicks were procured from the market and used for experimental purpose. All the chicks were vaccinated against Marek's disease on the first day of hatching. The chicks were given Furasol @ 'A...