Evaluation of Biochemical Parameters in Buffalo Calves Exposed to Subacute Fenvalerate Toxicosis

Pesticides being used for the control of agricultural pests and insects causing public health hazards, are responsible for certain ailments and/or outbreaks reported amongst animals and humans, which usually occur either from direct exposure to insecticides or indirectly from contaminated feeds or water by such chemicals. In the present investigation, oral subacute toxicity study of fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide, was undertaken in male buffalo calves. Repeated oral administration of fenvalerate at 1.0 mg kg−1 day−1 for 21 consecutive days in buffalo calves did not exhibit any significant toxic signs in buffalo calves. It however produced significant elevation in plasma aspartate aminotransferase (21.5 %), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (43.9 %), glucose (39.9 %) and creatinine (37.7 %). Subacute oral administration of fenvalerate did not produce any significant effect in the levels of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, total plasma proteins, albumin, cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen. Present investigation reveals that fenvalerate is a moderate-risk insecticide in buffalo calves.