Toxicological Influence of Propoxur on Respiratory Functions of the Blood in Pigeon (Columba livia domestica)

Propoxur is a non-systemic insecticide which was introduced in 1959. It is used against mosquitoes in outdoor areas, against flies in agricultural settings, against fleas and ticks on pets, as an acaricide, on lawns and turf for ants, on flowering plants, and in private dwellings and public buildings. However, nontarget organisms such as honey bees, birds and fish have sensitive toxicity responses to carbamates in the environment, and propoxur has also been classified in group B, a probable human carcinogen. Despite the increasing use of propoxur in Egypt, there is no complete information on the toxic effects of this insecticide in birds. Pigeons are usually feed on the seeds that may be contaminated by the insecticide (propoxur), meanwhile their meat is greatly required as food for people. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of subchronic oral dosage of propoxur (1/10 LD50) on respiratory functions of blood. The bird employed in the present study is the rock pigeon (Columba livia domestica), weighing between 320 – 380g. Birds were classified into four groups each consists of 5 animals as follow:1Control group, this group, non-treated pigeons, were not subjected to oral administration of the insecticide. 2Three doses group, pigeons in this group treated with a repeated oral dose (1/10 LD50) of propoxur for three consecutive doses.. 3Six doses group, pigeons in this group treated with a repeated oral dose (1/10 LD50) of propoxur for six consecutive doses. 4 – Nine doses group, Pigeons in this group treated with a repeated oral dose (1/10 LD50) of propoxur for nine consecutive doses. (twodays interval between each two consecutive doses in treated groups) and birds were sacrificed after 24 hours after the last dose. Results of this study, showed significant decreases in arterial and venous blood oxygen partial pressure, percentage of oxygen saturation and alveolar oxygen partial pressure in all intoxicated groups, also there were significant elevations in arterial and venous blood carbon dioxide partial pressure, alveolararterial oxygen partial pressure difference, percentage of venous admixture (% shunt), and the percentage arterio – venous difference of percentage oxygen saturation, oxygen partial pressure and carbon dioxide partial pressure in all intoxicated groups.