Organochlorine pesticide residues in bovine milk and some animal feed ingredients in Egypt

Organochlorine pesticides have been used in agriculture as seed dresser, in sanitation and in livestock to combat ectoparasites. Their residues accumulate in lipid rich tissues due to their chemical stability and lipophilicity. In the body, they are slowly metabolized, deposit themselves in adipose tissue and excreted during lactation. In the present study one hundred and fifteen milk samples from different dairy farms as well as 119 samples of 7 major feed ingredients, were collected and analyzed for organochlorine insecticide residues using high performance thin layer chromatography. Results showed that the different materials contained low or negligible levels of chlorinated insecticides. Total DDT residues were generally the predominant contaminants detected in some samples of the animal feed ingredients together with low levels of gamma-BHC [lindane] akirin/dieldrin and heptachlor/ hepatochlor epoxide. The residues of these insecticides in bovine milk were [222.83 +/- 11.151, 133.72 +/- 18.61, 81.58 +/- 10.65 and 88.17 +/- 6.827] micro g /kg fat respectively. These levels were less than the codex tolerance limits. The examined samples of animals feed ingredients also contained trace organochlorines residues. More extensive monitoring of the residues in milk of some Egyptian governorates were carried out. The obtained data and desirability of tolerance limits of insecticides in animal feeds were discussed

Cytogenetic effect of zearalenone on pregnant rats and their progeny

The present study is concerned with the cytogenetic hazards induced by the mycotoxin, zearalenone [ZEN], Mycotoxin was administered orally to pregnant rats in two doses [15 or 30 mg/kg body weight] through days 6-13 of gestation. Cytogenetic evaluation was carried out by the micronucleus test and chromosomal aberration assay on the bone marrow cells of the pregnant females. In addition, chromosomal aberration assay was performed on the embryonic cells. Results showed that ZEN has a mutagenic effect. Significant high percentage of structural chromosomal aberrations was observed in ZEN treated mothers [15 mg/kg] and in their embryonic cells. On the other hand, numerical aberrations in the form of hypodiploidy and hyperdiploidy were also observed at a considerable percentage. Duplication of the dose [30 mg/kg] was found to be more hazardous. In general, the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in fetal cells was always higher than that recorded in their maternal bone marrow cells. In addition, ZEN treatment significantly increased the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic in the bone marrow cells of the pregnant rats. This elevation was in a dose related manner

Effect of flavomycin on the performance and blood constituents of friesian and buffalo calves

Flavomycin was given to male buffalo and Friesian calves [20 mg/animal/day] during the fattening period to show its effect on the performance and blood constituents. The obtained data revealed slight increase in the total gain with shortening of the fattening period in the treated animals. Hemoglobin, SGOT, SGPT, total lipids and cholesterol values showed nonsignificant changes. Significant elevation in the total protein, alpha and delta globulins as well as in T3 were recorded