Vesela Karan

Subacute toxicity of paraquat in rats—biochemical effects

The toxic effects of paraquat administered to rats in drinking water for a period of 30 days were studied. Paraquat had no effect on the body weight gain or on organ weights of rats. However, microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity and cytochrome P-450 content were increased in rats given paraquat in drinking water. The obtained differences were statistically significant. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was not significantly changed with respect to control animals but a statistically changed, with respect to control animals, statistically significant decrease was established in serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity of test animals compared to values obtained for control groups. Hematological data showed that paraquat caused a decrease in hemoglobin concentration and total red blood cell number, while the total white blood cell number was significantly increased compared to values obtained for control animals.

Toxic effects of 2,4‐D herbicide on fish

Abstract Acute and subacute 2,4‐D toxicity to carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) were investigated. Acute toxicity (LC‐ 50) was investigated in semi‐static test during a 24, 48, and 96‐ hours exposition. Subacute toxicity was investigated by exposing fish to different 2,4,‐D concentrations (150, 200, and 250 mg/L) for 14 days. Biochemical and morphological changes in certain organs and tissues were investigated. LC‐ 50 values at 24 hours exposure was 310.0 mg/L, 295.0 mg/L for 48 hours, and 270.0 mg/L for 96 hours exposure. Subacute toxicity tests show that 2,4‐D induce changes in the enzyme activities (AP, GOT, GPT) and morphological changes in the gills, liver and kidneys, but changes are of limited biological importance.

Hematological effects of herbicide Avalon® (bentazon+dicamba) in rats

Hematological effects of the herbicide Avalon (GAL-57), a mixture of bentazon and dicamba, were tested on rats. Avalon was administered by gavage at three and four dose levels (250, 500, 1000 and 1250 mg/kg weight/day) for 28 and 90 days. Hematological parameters, number of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and erythrocyte indexes (MCV, MCH and MCHC) were monitored. The results showed that the herbicide Avalon caused decrease in the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte indexes (both males and females). The changes (mostly) correlated with the doses administered and, in most cases, a lower susceptibility of females than males was observed. The herbicide GAL-57 had no adverse effect on the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes and thrombocytes (both sexes, all doses tested). The results showed that the herbicide Avalon causes weak anemia to the animals tested. Reversibility was apparent during the recovery period of 28 days.