Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the possible hemato-biochemical and histopathological changes induced by
concurrent administration of triazophos in male Japanese quail. For this purpose, healthy and sexually mature 60 adult male
Japanese quail were divided into five equal groups. The birds were kept in wire cages for six days for adaptation. The
duration of the experiment was 48 days. All the birds in groups A-E were orally administered triazophos (O, O-diethyl O-
1phenyl-1 H-1, 2, 4- triazol-3-yl phosphorothioate) an organophosphate insecticide @ 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg BW daily for 48
days. The blood/serum and morbid tissues were collected at post treatment days 16, 32 and 48. Significant (P < 0.05)
decrease in relative weight of testes and liver, while an increase in relative weight of thymus was recorded in treated birds as
compared to controls. Histologically, pyknotic nuclei with extensive vacuolation of hepatocytes and congestion in thymus
was observed. Treatment also induced various testicular changes including admixture of necrotic cells, arrest of
spermatogenesis, decreased seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelial height and number of seminiferous tubules
with normal sperms. Significantly increased activity of serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and lactate
dehydrogenase with increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipids, low density lipids and malondialdehyde
were also recorded in triazophos treated birds. Moreover, frequency of micronuclei formation, erythrocytes with lobed
nuclei, blebbed nuclei, notched nuclei and pear shaped erythrocytes was significantly increased in treated birds. The present
study revealed for the first time that triazophos induces histo-architectural and serum biochemical changes in birds.
