Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3) (2002)

CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS

Biochemistry

Relationship between concentration of citrate and ketone bodies in cow’s milk. Orsolya Baticz, S. Tömösközi, L. Vida and T. Gaál 253-261

Evaluation of flow injection analysis for determination of urea in sheep’s and cow’s milk. Martina Baumgartner, Martina Flöck, Petra Winter, W. Luf and W. Baumgartner 263-271

Clinical veterinary medicine

Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic measurements of cardiac dimensions in healthy Standardbred trotters. Z. Bakos, K. Vörös, Taina Järvinen and J. Reiczigel 273-282

Fish diseases

Occurrence of enteric redmouth disease in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on farms in Croatia. D. Oraić, Snježana Zrnčić, B. Šoštarić, D. Bažulić and Z. Lipej 283-291

Infectious diseases

Torovirus detection in faecal specimens of calves and pigs in Hungary: Short communication. Katalin Matiz, S. Kecskeméti, I. Kiss, Zs. Ádám, J. Tanyi and B. Nagy 293-296

Clinical signs and mortality caused by Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in turkey flocks. D. Szalay, R. Glávits, Cs. Nemes, Anna Kósa and L. Fodor 297-305

Nutrition

Effects of microbial phytase and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the absorption of minerals from broiler chicken diets containing different levels of calcium. Didem Hilkat Aksakal and Tanay Bilal 307-313

Pathology

Mitosis and apoptosis in canine cutaneous histiocytoma and transmissible venereal tumour. T. Guvenc, M. Haligur, M. N. Orman and R. Haziroglu 315-321

Physiology

Different action of IBMX, isoproterenol and rutin on orthovanadate-induced nitric oxide release in mouse macrophage cells. S. Koncz and Edit J. Horváth 323-341

Effect of deferoxamine and L-arginine treatment on lipid peroxidation in an intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion model in rats. N. Balogh, F. Krausz, P. Lévai, Piroska Sz. Ribiczeyné, P. Vajdovich and T. Gaál 343-356

Training-induced alterations of the fatty acid profile of rabbit muscles. A. Szabó, R. Romvári, Hedvig Fébel, P. Bogner and Zs. Szendrő 357-364

Toxicology

One-generation reproduction toxicity study of Dithane M-45 (mancozeb) and lead acetate. L. Várnagy, P. Budai, E. Molnár, I. Takács, S. Fejes, M. Albert and M. Dobos-Kovács 365-371

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 253–261 (2002)

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONCENTRATION OF CITRATE AND KETONE BODIES IN COW’S MILK

Orsolya Baticz1, S. Tömösközi1*, L. Vida2 and T. Gaál3

1Department of Biochemistry and Food Technology, 2Department of Chemical Technology, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, H-1521 Budapest, P.O. Box 91, Hungary; 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary

(Received December 27, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

The authors’ hypothesis is that the members of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) such as citrate decrease in association with increased ketone body formation. To prove this hypothesis the connection between ketone bodies and citrate formation of milk was studied. A fluorimetric method was used to determine citrate and a headspace sampling gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed for determination of ketone bodies. Under real conditions of milk sampling, transport and storage, preserved milk samples of 119 clinically healthy dairy cows obtained in the 48 hours after milking were investigated. A low level of acetoacetate (ACAC) was found in all samples. This fact can be explained by the spontaneous decarboxylation of acetoacetate during sample storage (previously decarboxylised acetoacetate = pdACAC) and, consequently, the majority of the amount of acetoacetate in the samples (AC+pdACAC) appeared in the measured acetone concentrations. Based on the measured acetone concentration of milk samples two groups were formed retrospectively: HA (high-acetone) group (n = 41) with an AC+pdACAC concentration of > 0.4 mmol/l and a LA (low-acetone) group (n = 78) with an AC+pdACAC level of ? 0.4 mmol/l. In the milk of cows of Group HA a positive correlation (r = +0.623) and linear connection between acetone (AC+pdACAC) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) levels was found [BOHB = 2.491 + 0.586 × (pdAC + ACAC)]. Furthermore, in this group a negative correlation between citrate and BOHB and AC+pdACAC was also established (r = –0.579). Focusing on the results of this group the authors found a significant drop of AC+pdACAC and citrate during the metabolically critical first 1–4 weeks of lactation. For this reason they suggest that simple, easy, automated methods (i.e. flow injection analysis, Fourier transformation infrared analysis) should be introduced for the simultaneous determination of acetone and citrate concentration in milk to make the evaluation of the energy status of high-producing dairy cows easier and more certain.

Key words: Cow’s milk, ketone bodies, citrate

*Corresponding author; E-mail: tomoskozi@mail.bme.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 463 3855

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 263–271 (2002)

EVALUATION OF FLOW INJECTION ANALYSIS FOR DETERMINATION OF UREA IN SHEEP’S AND COW’S MILK

Martina Baumgartner1*, Martina Flöck1, Petra Winter1, W. Luf2 and W. Baumgartner1

1Second Medical Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, 2Institute for Milk Hygiene, Milk Technology and Food Science, University for Veterinary Science, 1210 Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Austria

(Received November 21, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Difficulties in measuring the urea content in sheep’s milk often occur with spectral photometry due to the high protein and fat concentrations of the milk. In this study an enzymatic flow procedure (QuickChem 8000 Ion Analyser, Lachat Instruments, Milwaukee, USA) to determine the urea content in ovine and bovine milk was evaluated. Urea content is determined by the Berthelot reaction after splitting it enzymatically with urease. The free ammonia diffuses through a teflon membrane into a stream of reagent solutions. Detection takes place by means of a reaction between the ammonium ions with hypochlorite and salicylate producing a green colour, which is measured spectrometrically in a flow meter at 660 nm. By using a diffusion cell chemical deproteinisation of milk is not necessary and capacity is high. The assessed procedure exhibited high accuracy and precision and reached a sample capacity of 55 samples an hour. Storage of the milk samples for several days as well as chemical preservation with bronopol had no effect on the measurement procedure. Due to the complexity of the apparatus and the costs associated therewith, the device proves less suitable for routine diagnostics but rather serves as a reference method for the measurement of urea concentration in milk.

Key words: Urea, milk, flow injection analysis, evaluation

*Corresponding author; E-mail: martina.baumgartner@vu-wien.ac.at; Fax: +43-1-25077-5290

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 273–282 (2002)

TWO-DIMENSIONAL AND M-MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF CARDIAC DIMENSIONS IN HEALTHY STANDARDBRED TROTTERS

Z. Bakos1*, K. Vörös1, Taina Järvinen1+ and J. Reiczigel2

1Department and Clinic of Internal Medicine, 2Department of Biomathematics and Informatics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1400 Budapest, P.O. Box 2, Hungary

(Received December 4, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

The aim of the study was to establish normal echocardiographic values of healthy Standardbred trotters not published previously. Twenty-three clinically normal horses weighing between 350 and 490 kg were examined in the same manner: first a thorough physical and then detailed echocardiographic examination were performed. Standardised two-dimensional (2D) and guided M-mode echocardiographic imaging techniques were used to measure interventricular septal thickness (IVS), left ventricular internal diameter (LVID), left ventricular wall thickness (LVW), left atrial internal diameter (LAID) in end-systole (s) and end-diastole (d) and aortic diameter (AOD) in end-diastole. Mean, range and standard deviation of the different parameters were calculated. The mean values (in centimetres) were as follow (2D/M-mode): IVSs: 4.6/4.7; IVSd: 3.1/3.0; LVIDs: 7.0/7.0; LVIDd: 10.7/10.7; LVWs: 3.9/3.9; LVWd: 2.7/2.7; LAIDs: 10.4/–; LAIDd: 11.3/–; AODd: 7.2/–. Results of two-dimensional and M-mode measurements were compared to each other and to normal values obtained from other breeds.

Key words: Echocardiography, measurement, horse, normal values, two-dimensional, M-mode

*Corresponding author; E-mail: zbakos@univet.hu; Fax: +36 (29) 521 303;

+Graduating student

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 283–291 (2002)

OCCURRENCE OF ENTERIC REDMOUTH DISEASE IN RAINBOW TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS) ON FARMS IN CROATIA

D. Oraić*, Snježana Zrnčić, B. Šoštarić, D. Bažulić and Z. Lipej

Department of Fish Diseases, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Savska 143, Croatia

(Received January 20, 2002; accepted March 13, 2002)

During the spring of 1996 and autumn of 1997 unusual mortality outbreaks among rainbow trout fry and yearlings occurred at two different trout farms, resulting in mortality of 20 and 10 per cent, respectively. Generally, the affected fish, swimming at the water surface, were reluctant to eat and were dark pigmented with visible haemorrhages around and within the oral cavity. Bacterial isolates from moribund fish from both cases were identified as Yersinia ruckeri by standard biochemical tests and API 20E. The isolated strains were found to be sensitive to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, flumequine, enrofloxacin, carbenicillin and gentamicin. Microplate agglutination assay confirmed that both isolates belonged to serotype O1. The pathogenicity of the isolated bacteria was confirmed by challenge experiment. Titres of specific antibodies were determined in the sera of survivors. The titre was highest on the 21st day postchallenge and was detectable until the 81st day.

Key words: Rainbow trout, enteric redmouth disease, Yersinia ruckeri, serotyping

*Corresponding author; E-mail: oraic@rudjer.irb.hr; Fax: ++385 1 6190 841

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 293–296 (2002)

TOROVIRUS DETECTION IN FAECAL SPECIMENS OF CALVES AND PIGS IN HUNGARY:
SHORT COMMUNICATION

Katalin Matiz1*, S. Kecskeméti1, I. Kiss1, Zsuzsa Ádám1, J. Tanyi1 and B. Nagy2

1Veterinary Institute of Debrecen, H-4002 Debrecen, P.O. Box 51, Hungary; 2Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary

(Received April 12, 2002; accepted May 27, 2002)

Bovine torovirus is an established aetiological agent of disease in cattle, while porcine torovirus has only been isolated from healthy animals. Evidence for the presence of torovirus has been described in several European countries and also in the United States. A survey was performed to detect toroviruses in Hungary by means of sampling ten swine and nine bovine herds. Rectal swabs and faecal specimens were collected from diarrhoeic calves and from weaned piglets. The samples were tested by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using torovirus-specific primers and the positive samples were further examined by electron microscopy (EM). Torovirus was detected in 4 diarrhoeic calves (out of 111) and in 10 healthy weaned pigs (out of 200 tested), representing two of the 9 calf herds and two of the 10 pig herds tested. This is the first report of exact diagnosis of torovirus in Hungary.

Key words: Porcine, bovine, torovirus, RT-PCR

*Corresponding author; E-mail: matizk@oai.hu; Fax: +36 (52) 310 823

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 297–305 (2002)

CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY CAUSED BY ORNITHOBACTERIUM RHINOTRACHEALE IN TURKEY FLOCKS

D. Szalay1, R. Glávits2*, Cs. Nemes3, Anna Kósa4 and L. Fodor5

1Omega-Vet-Lab Bt., H-9701 Szombathely, Zanati u. 3, Hungary; 2Central Veterinary Institute, H-1581 Budapest 146, P.O. Box 2, Hungary; 3Veterinary Institute of Kaposvár, Kaposvár, Hungary; 4Animal Health and Food Control Station of County Vas, Szombathely, Hungary; 5Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary

(Received February 1, 2002; accepted March 13, 2002)

Upper respiratory tract disease (manifesting itself in rhinitis, tracheitis and conjunctivitis) and mortality associated with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection were observed in four flocks of 2- to 3-week-old turkeys. In a 15- to 16-week-old turkey flock bilateral catarrhal-croupous pneumonia was found in the dead birds. In a further 5-week-old flock and in three 16- to 20-week-old turkey flocks mortality was preceded by nervous signs (motor disturbances, recumbency, abnormal carriage of the head) and was found to be associated with fibrinopurulent inflammation of the cranial bones and meningitis. The bacterium O. rhinotracheale was isolated from the affected organs in the different disease conditions. The isolated strains did not differ markedly in cultural, morphological and biochemical properties. This is the first report of a turkey disease manifesting itself in nervous signs associated with O. rhinotracheale infection.

Key words: Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, turkey, respiratory disease, nervous signs

*Corresponding author; E-mail: glavitsr@oai.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 252 5177

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 307–313 (2002)

EFFECTS OF MICROBIAL PHYTASE AND 1,25-DIHYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL ON THE ABSORPTION OF MINERALS FROM BROILER CHICKEN DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CALCIUM

Didem Hilkat Aksakal1 and Tanay Bilal2*

1Agricultural Ministry, Şenlikköy, Istanbul, Turkey; 2Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Istanbul, 34851 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey

(Received September 27, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various calcium: total phosphorus (Ca:tP) ratios due to addition of microbial phytase and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] on the absorption levels of minerals. In a 42-day experiment repeated three times, 144 day-old male broiler chicks (ISA 220) were divided into six groups of eight chicks each. Diets containing two different (1:1 and 2:1) Ca levels were prepared. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received a diet of 1:1 Ca:tP ratio while Groups 4, 5 and 6 a diet of 1:2 Ca:tP ratio. These diets contained 1,25-(OH)2D3 and phytase in levels of 5 µg/kg and 600 FYT/kg, respectively. The faeces was collected to analyse the absorption of minerals. At the end of the study, the absorption levels of Ca, P, Zn, Mn and Cu were increased by the addition of phytase enzyme (p < 0.05). This effect was obvious in the 3rd week. On the other hand, in the 6th week only Ca and P absorption levels were influenced positively by the addition of phytase enzyme. The results proved the positive effect of phytase, an enzyme which is used for increasing the utilisation rate of phytate P, Ca and other minerals in broilers.

Key words: Broilers, mineral absorption, microbial phytase, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, Ca:tP ratios

*Corresponding author; E-mail: tanbilal@istanbul.edu.tr; Fax: +90 212 591 69 76

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 315–321 (2002)

MITOSIS AND APOPTOSIS IN CANINE CUTANEOUS HISTIOCYTOMA AND TRANSMISSIBLE VENEREAL TUMOUR

T. Guvenc1*, M. Haligur1, M. N. Orman2 and R. Haziroglu1

1Pathology Department, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Ankara University, 06110 Diskapi, Ankara, Turkey; 2Biostatistics Department, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey

(Received November 13, 2001; accepted March 13, 2002)

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours were examined in twenty cases. The Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and Tunel methods were used to detect mitotic activity and apoptosis, respectively. The number of Ki-67 immunoreactive cells was 11.65 (± 1.1706) in canine cutaneous histiocytomas and 17 (± 2.1751) in transmissible venereal tumours. The mean values of apoptotic cells for canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours were 13.25 (± 1.8758) and 8.52 (± 1.1007), respectively. It was considered that mitotic activity and apoptotic indices were useful in differentiation of canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours. The correlation values for canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours were 0.359 (± 0.330) and –0.232 (± 0.344), respectively. No significant (P > 0.05) correlation was found between mitosis and apoptosis in these two tumour types.

Key words: Dog, differential diagnosis, canine cutaneous histiocytoma, canine transmissible venereal tumour, Ki-67, Tunel

*Corresponding author; E-mail: guvenc@veterinary.ankara.edu.tr; Fax: 0090 312 316 44 72

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 323–341 (2002)

DIFFERENT ACTION OF IBMX, ISOPROTERENOL AND RUTIN ON ORTHOVANADATE-INDUCED NITRIC OXIDE RELEASE IN MOUSE MACROPHAGE CELLS

S. Koncz1* and Edit J. Horváth2

1IZINTA Trading Co., H-1121 Budapest, Konkoly Thege út 29–33, Hungary; 2Institute for Drug Research, Budapest, Hungary

(Received January 7, 2002; accepted March 13, 2002)

The effects of cAMP-elevating compounds IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) and isoproterenol, and that of rutin (an effective superoxide scavenger) were studied on orthovanadate- (a putative protein-phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor) induced nitric oxide (NO) production in J774A.1 mouse macrophage cells. As we previously reported (Koncz and Horváth, 2000), rutin and sodium orthovanadate act synergistically to induce production of high amount of NO in J774A.1 cells. IBMX, an agent that can elevate cAMP level in the cells, can reduce the production of both the LPS- and rutin + orthovanadate-induced NO in macrophages. In contrast, isoproterenol, a non-selective ß-adrenergic receptor agonist, that reduced the LPS-induced NO production in macrophage cells, was unable to reduce the rutin + orthovanadate-induced NO production without negatively affecting cell viability. Moreover, isoproterenol dramatically enhanced the orthovanadate-induced NO synthesis in J774A.1 cells. Our previous study clarified that rutin and orthovanadate, in a specific concentration ratio of both, were able to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Using 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate as a marker for H2O2, isoproterenol alone induced its oxidation but the rutin plus orthovanadate-induced H2O2 production was reduced by isoproterenol. These observations have revealed that, in some cases, H2O2 and superoxide (O2–) scavengers can act in a reverse mode on macrophage cells depending on the presence or absence of orthovanadate.

Key words: cAMP, sodium orthovanadate, rutin, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, J774A.1 cell line

*Corresponding author; E-mail: skoncz@izinta.kfkipark.hu; Fax: +36 (1) 392 2651/53

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 343–356 (2002)

EFFECT OF DEFEROXAMINE AND L-ARGININE TREATMENT ON LIPID PEROXIDATION IN AN INTESTINAL ISCHAEMIA-REPERFUSION MODEL IN RATS

N. Balogh1*, F. Krausz+, P. Lévai+, Piroska Sz. Ribiczeyné2, P. Vajdovich2 and T. Gaál2

1Large Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-2225 Üllő, Dóramajor, Hungary; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary

(Received February 27, 2002; accepted May 27, 2002)

This study investigated lipid peroxidation (LPO) changes during intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion with and without deferoxamine or L-arginine treatment. White Wistar rats were allotted into four groups as follows: sham-operated (Group SOP), ischaemia-reperfusion only (Group I/R), I/R with deferoxamine (Group D) or L-arginine (Group A) treatment. Concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), overall concentration of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-alkenals (LPO586), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) of the jejunal homogenates were determined. The same analytes except LPO586 were assayed in RBC haemolysates. Measurements of ferric reducing ability (FRAP), total antioxidant status (TAS) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations of plasma samples were also completed. The only significant change observed in the SOP group was an increased SOD activity after the ischaemic period. In the I/R group significant increase of intestinal LPO586 concentration was observed during hypoxia that was followed by similar changes in intestinal and RBC TBARS and plasma FRAP values upon reperfusion. In Group D the intestinal TBARS and LPO586 concentrations were significantly lower while FRAP and NO concentrations were significantly higher compared to the I/R group. At the same time RBC TBARS concentration and GPX activity significantly decreased within Group D. In Group A the intestinal LPO586 concentration was significantly lower than in the I/R group whilst RBC TBARS concentration showed a similar pattern. Plasma FRAP and NO concentration showed similar changes to those seen in Group D. It is concluded that I/R increased the LPO in the intestinal tissue and altered some parameters of plasma and RBCs, too. Deferoxamine treatment prevented these effects, while the usefulness of L-arginine remained doubtful.

Key words: Lipid peroxidation, intestine, erythrocyte, nitric oxide, deferoxamine

*Corresponding author; E-mail: nbalogh@univet.hu; Fax: +36 (29) 521 303;

+Graduating students

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 357–364 (2002)

TRAINING-INDUCED ALTERATIONS OF THE FATTY ACID PROFILE OF RABBIT MUSCLES

A. Szabó1*, R. Romvári1, Hedvig Fébel2, P. Bogner1 and Zs. Szendrő3

1Diagnostic and Oncoradiologic Institute, University of Kaposvár, H-7400 Kaposvár, Guba Sándor u. 40, Hungary; 2Research Centre for Animal Breeding and Nutrition, H-2053 Herceghalom, Hungary; 3Department of Small Livestock Sciences, University of Kaposvár, H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary

(Received February 1, 2002; accepted May 27, 2002)

The present study was designed to investigate whether meat-type rabbits are able to perform treadmill running as a daily routine exercise, and if so, whether the exercise induces specific proportional changes in the fatty acid composition of their muscles. After a four-week training period 8-week-old rabbits were slaughtered and the total activity of plasma lactate dehydrogenase was measured, showing a significant difference between the exercised and control groups (429 ± 126 IU/l vs. 639 ± 203 IU/l). Furthermore the fatty acid composition of m. longissimus dorsi (MLD) and m. vastus lateralis (MVL) was determined by means of gas chromatography. Exercise increased the proportions of oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) in both MLD and MVL as compared to the control group. However, the level of stearic (C18:0) and arachidonic (C20:4 n-6) acids significantly decreased in the MVL after the exercise. Changes in the fatty acid profile resulting from the physically loaded condition were of the same tendency in both muscles, adding that the MVL might have been exposed to the exercise more intensively; alterations there occurred in a more pronounced manner. Based on the inference that the composition of membrane structure was also affected, these alterations may have important consequences on meat quality.

Key words: Exercise, muscle fatty acid composition, rabbit

*Corresponding author; E-mail: szan1125@freemail.hu; Fax: +36 (82) 321 371

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 50 (3), pp. 365–371 (2002)

ONE-GENERATION REPRODUCTION TOXICITY STUDY OF DITHANE M-45 (MANCOZEB) AND LEAD ACETATE

L. Várnagy1*, P. Budai1, E. Molnár1, I. Takács1, S. Fejes1, M. Albert2 and M. Dobos-Kovács2

1Department of Zoology and Toxicology, Institute of Animal Science, Georgikon Faculty of Agriculture, University of Veszprém, H-8361 Keszthely, P.O. Box 71, Hungary; 2Department of Pathology and Forensic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Budapest, Hungary

(Received February 4, 2002; accepted March 13, 2002)

The reproductive toxicity of lead acetate and of a fungicide formulation (Dithane M-45) containing 80% mancozeb was studied on rats. Lead acetate was applied in the feed in the following dose groups: control, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 mg/kg of diet. The three treatment groups received, in addition to the above doses of lead acetate, 4,500 mg/kg Dithane M-45 in the diet. The method was based on the OECD Guideline for Testing of Chemicals No. 415 (1981). Clinical symptoms and mortality were not found in the parent generation. The body weight of female animals decreased significantly before the pregnancy period. This tendency was also seen in males after the combination treatment. At the two high dose levels a remarkable body weight increase was seen in the female animals during the lactation period. As a result of treatment, decreased body weight of offspring was measured during the lactation period. No gross pathological changes were seen. Histological examination showed general tubulonephrosis in the experimental animals. It can be established that the administration of Dithane M-45 did not enhance the reproductive toxicity of lead acetate.

Key words: Lead acetate, mancozeb, reproduction, rat

*Corresponding author; E-mail: h9650var@ella.hu; Fax: +36 (83) 315 105