Enzymatic changes induced by some organophosphorus pesticides in female rats.

An evaluation of toxic effects of three organophosphorus pesticides viz. monocrotophos, methyl parathion and dimethoate given orally daily for 90 days was done in terms of enzymatic changes in plasma and liver of female albino rats. A significant decrease was observed in the level of esterases in plasma with all the three pesticides. The activity of acid and alkaline phosphatases and aminotransferases increased significantly in plasma and significantly or marginally in liver with these pesticides. The results are thus indicative of the cellular toxicity of these organophosphates even after their subchronic administration in low doses for a long period.