Author:
Danielson T. J.,Golsteyn L. R.
Abstract
Body weights and feed consumption were monitored in 48 Hereford steers, under feedlot conditions, for 10 wk after exposure to diazinon, an organophosphate insecticide. Experimental design consisted of four complete blocks, each of four treatment groups (positive and negative controls, two insecticidal ear tags and four insecticidal ear tags). Plasma cholinesterase activity was reduced by 50%, 24 h after topical application of diazinon directly to the skin (positive control) but was not reduced after attachment of either two or four insecticidal ear tags per animal. Daily weight gain and feed utilization in control animals, during the 70-d study, were 1.21 ± 0.22 kg d−1 and 0.144 ± 0.007 kg kg−1 (dry matter basis) and were not altered in steers exposed to diazinon. Key words: Cattle, diazinon, weight gain, cholinesterase
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Subject
Animal Science and Zoology,Food Animals