title: Effect of endosulfan on immunological competence of layer birds.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was aimed to investigate the immunological competence of endosulfan insecticide after limited oral administration in White Leghorn layer chickens.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 White Leghorn birds were given endosulfan in drinking water at 30 ppm/bird/day (no observable effect level dose) for a period of 3-months. Immune competence status of layer birds and chicks hatched from endosulfan offered birds were estimated at 15-day interval in layer birds and at monthly interval in chicks using immunological, biochemical parameters, and teratological estimates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease in levels of total leukocytes count, absolute lymphocyte count, absolute heterophil count, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, and serum gamma globulin in the birds fed with endosulfan as compared to control. Similarly, immune competence tests such as lymphocyte stimulation test, oxidative burst assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests indicated lower immunity in birds treated with endosulfan as compared to control. Subsequently, chicks produced from endosulfan-treated birds were also examined for immune competence, but no significant difference was observed between chicks of both the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exposure to endosulfan in limited oral dosage was able to exhibit hemo-biochemical and other changes that could be correlated with changes in the immunological profile of layer chickens suggesting cautious usage of endosulfan insecticide in poultry sheds.
authors.affiliation: Animal Science Section, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Morena, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.affiliation: Section of Transfer of Technology, Livestock Production Management, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Pankaj
keywords: blood biochemistry; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; immune competence; layers; organochloride; teratogeny