Effect of single oral dose of alphamethrin on immune response of chicks Singh S.P.1, Sharma L.D.1, Chauhan R.S.2 1Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Veterinary Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, India. 2Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, India. Abstract Eight week old, 18 white leghorn male chickens were randomly and equally divided into three groups and administered single oral doses of alphamethrin @ 0, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt., respectively, to study humoral and cellular immune responses. Humoral immune response was examined by evaluating antibody titres by ELISA against bovine serum albumin (BSA, Fraction V used as antigen). On 14 days post administration of insecticides, antibody titres were significantly (P < 0.01) declined in both the dose groups of alphamethrin as compared to untreated control. Cellular immune response was assayed by delayed type of skin hypersensitivity (DTH) using dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), macrophage function test (MFT) and lymphocyte stimulation test (LST). A significant (p< 0.01) decrease in the skin hypersensitivity to DNFB was observed in the high dose (200 mg/kg) group. A significant (P<0.01) suppression in the phagocytic activity of macro phages of high dose group was observed. A significant (P<0.01) reduction in lymphocyte stimulation to Con A was observed at the both dose levels. Results indicate an immunosuppressive effect of alphamethrin following acute toxicity in chickens. Top Key words Alphamethrin, immunosuppression, humoral and cellular immune response, poultry. Top |