Abstract—Organophosphorus Insecticides (OPIs) may induce oxidative stress leading to generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and alteration in antioxidant system. In the present study toxic effect of organophosphate insecticide ¡°chlorpyrifos¡± (100 ¦Ìg) was estimated in chick embryo in eight day old fertilized eggs. After four days of rest the antioxidant defense system of brain, liver and heart of embryos were estimated by activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxide (GPx) enzymes. The results showed significantly weight loss of liver and increased levels of CAT and GPx activity compared to their respective controls in the liver tissues of chlorpyrifos treated embryos. Activity of SOD enzyme was lower down in liver and brain tissues due to chlorpyrifos treatment. It may be concluded that in vivo administration of chlorpyrifos significantly changed antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting that ROS may be involved in the toxicity of chlorpyrifos.

Index Terms—OPIs, Antioxidant enzymes, ROS, chlorpyrifos, SOD, CAT, GPx

Cite: Lalit Patel and Renu Bhatt, "Effect of Commercially Available Insecticide on Antioxidant Enzymes during Chick Embryonic Development," International Journal of Life Sciences Biotechnology and Pharma Research, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 171-181, April 2013.