ABSTRACT

The injudicious and indiscriminate use of pesticides is a threat to not only the target organisms but to non-target organisms. This study determined the haemato-toxicity and histopathology of selected agro-pesticides (basudyne and carbofuran) in albino rats. Haematological parameters were determined at once for each blood sample using an automated haematology analyser model. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum bilirubin were determined using commercial kits and following standard protocols prescribed by the producer, Randox laboratory limited, United Kingdom. The liver and stomach histology were determined based on international histological protocol. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD). Each group was assigned a particular oral dose level of the pesticides in the order 5000, 7000, 9000, 11000, 13000 and 15000mg/kg body weight. The control group was not exposed to the treatment. The rats were sacrificed within 24 hours after administration of the toxicants. Blood collection by cardiac puncture into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (k3 EDTA) and plane bottles for haematology and liver function tests. The liver and stomach were preserved in 10% formalin for histological examination. Results obtained showed a gradual decrease in the mean and standard deviation values of red blood cell count, pack cell volume, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration at P≤0.05 as the pesticides concentration increases. A rise and fall in mean and standard deviation is seen in white blood cell count. Neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes compared with the mean and standard deviation of the control group in both organophosphate based pesticide (basudyne) and carbamate based pesticide (carbofuran). Liver dysfunction biomarkers aspartate amino transferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were significantly increased when compared to the control group as the dose increases. The elevations observed in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase values though differed from that of the control, still fall within safety range. No observable treatment related effect was seen in the liver and stomach histology. The use of pesticides should be in a controlled rate which does not affect the non-target organism.