Sixty, day-old, chicks were reared up to 3 weeks of age and then randomly divided into 4 equal groups (3 treated and one control group). Urea (46 % nitrogen) was added to the grower-finisher ration of the treated birds at levels of 1% , 3% and 5% (groups I, II & III respectively). Feed and water were available ad libitum for all birds over the time of experiment. At days 7, 20 and 30 post exposure, 5 birds from each group were weighed, bled and sacrificed. All birds spontaneously died during the experiment were also necropsied. Haematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs counts, PCV and Hb), biochemical variables [urea, glucose, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase; (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase; (LDH)] and body weight gain were assessed. The encountered pathological changes were described. The obtained results indicated that: (1) decrease in RBCs, WBCs counts, PCV and Hb, (2) increase in ALP, LDH, urea and uric acid, while glucose level was decreased. (3) decrease in body weight gain in all treated birds. There were significant pathological changes in kidneys, heart, liver and lungs of the treated birds. It was concluded that addition of urea to poultry feeds to replace the more expensive protein-nitrogen has serious consequences which affect the health condition and weight gain of birds.
Imidacloprid, a systemic chloro–nicotinyl insecticide belong to neonicotinoid insecticides. In this study 120 rats were divided into four groups, the first group used as a control group, the second group was administered imidacloprid at a dose of 22.5 mg/kg b.w. for 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The third group was treated with olive oil (OLO) in a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight for 2 weeks before the oral dose of imidacloprid for 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The fourth group was given OLO in a dose of 10 ml/kg b.w. for 2 weeks after exposure to imidacloprid for 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Bone marrow was collected for micronucleus and chromosomal aberrations assays. The results revealed that imidacloprid induced a mutagenic effect in the 8th and 12th weeks of exposure and OLO decreased the mutagenic effect of imidacloprid in albino rats but not completely revert them to normal.
Practical applications
Using OLO as a protective or therapeutic agent due to it has an ameliorative effect on mutagenicity induced by IMI.
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