Cold Stress and Acute Organophosphorus Exposure: Interaction Effects on Juvenile Northern Bobwhite

摘要

The interaction of cold stress and acute chlorpyrifos (O, O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl)-phosphorothioate) exposure was examined in juvenile northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) as it relates to brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity and mortality. Temperatures spanned a 35.0C optimum to a 27.5C minimum; oral doses of chlorpyrifos ranged from 0.25 to 3.0 mg (8.3 to 100.0 mg/kg). Dose, temperature and body weight were significant factors in the ChE response. Cholinesterase activity in non-surviving quail was inhibited at low temperatures but was not affected significantly by dose; dose, however, was the single factor which significantly influenced mortality. The LD50(4hrs) was approximately 91.3 mg/kg. These data demonstrate that cold stress augments certain toxic effects in juvenile northern bobwhite and should be considered when appraising pesticide hazards to wildlife.