A research was conducted in broiler chicken to study the pathological effects of an organophosphorous fungicide, Kitazin used against rice blast in paddy. To assess the acute toxic effect, 48 day old broiler chicks were randomly divided in four groups of 12 birds each. After one week of acclimatization period, a single oral dose of Kitazin was administered @ 300 mg, 600 mg and 900 mg/ Kg body weight to group 2 (T1), group 3 (T2) and group 4 (T3) respectively. To assess the sub acute toxic effect, 48 day old broiler chicks were randomly divided in four groups of 12 birds each. After one week of acclimatization period, Kitazin was incorporated in the feed @ 100 ppm, 200 ppm and 400 ppm to group 2 (T1), group 3 (T2) and group 4 (T3) respectively for a period of 6 weeks. In both the studies the group 1 birds served as control (C). A detailed necropsy examination of different experimental groups was conducted on 14th and 21st day of age in acute study and on 49th day for sub acute study. Grossly, severe congestion of most of the visceral organs and reduction in the size of lymphoid organs in both acute and subacute toxicity with Kitazin were observed. Histopathologically, there were degeneration of hepatocytes, mononuclear infiltration, nephrosis and necrosis in visceral organs. Brain showed perivascular cuffing, chromatolysis, neuronophagia and spongiform changes. From the present study the immunosuppressive and pathological effects of kitazin were confirmed and the effects found to be dose dependent.

Highlights

• Kitazin has adverse effects on general health, body weight and immune status of the birds.
• Kitazin induced effects are dependent on dose and duration of its exposure. Histopathological findings confirm the immunosuppressive properties of the chemical even with low levels of exposure.