Veterinarija ir Zootechnika

The aim of the study was to examine the neurobehavioral and biochemical toxicity of atrazine herbicides in chicks. This is a model of poisoning we explored recently to further elucidate the toxic action of atrazine. The acute oral LD50 of atrazine was determined by the Dixon method; acute toxic symptoms of atrazine were recorded. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (liver enzymes), as well as blood glucose, were determined, and the effects of atrazine on open field activity and body weight were also examined. Atrazine’s LD50 was 1435.25 mg/kg when given orally. The oral administration of atrazine at doses of 1300 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg to chicks resulted in the appearance of acute poisoning symptoms such as depression, dyspnea, frequent defecation, lacrimation, ataxia (which appeared in both treatments at 100%), as well as profuse salivation, nasal discharge followed by tremors, convulsions, recumbency, and death (which appeared in the first treatment at a percentage higher than the second treatment). The oral dosing of atrazine at 574 mg/kg and 861 mg/kg caused a significant increase in AST, ALT, and glucose levels in the plasma of treated chicks after 24 hours compared with the control group and with treated groups after 4 hours. The oral administration of atrazine at doses 71.75 mg/kg, 143.5 mg/kg, and 287 mg/kg, twice a week for 2 weeks, led to an increase in motor activity through the significant increase in squares crossed and jumping frequency, and decrease in the bodyweight of chick. Our results conclude that atrazine has toxic effects on chicks through its effects on liver enzymes, body weight, and neurobehavioral activity.