Adverse effects of cypermethrin on the chick (Galus domesticus) development are reversed by co-treatment with vitamin E and olive oil

Abstract

Cypermethrin (CN) is a type II pyrethroid insecticide that has recently been implicated in reproductive and developmental disorders. The aim of present study was to discover the potential role of vitamin E (vitE) and olive oil in alleviation of prenatal developmental abnormalities of CN exposure in the domestic chick. Fertilized eggs (60 each) were assigned to vehicle (C); CN, CNO, CNE and CNOE treated groups. Embryos from 20 eggs in each group were recovered on 7, 14 and 21days of incubation. Mean body weight of the hatchlings and the rate of hatching were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in all groups than that of the CN group. Abnormalities of in ovo CN exposure in 7 days old embryos included: growth retardation, reduced beak, microphthalmia, microcephaly, open eyes, abdominal edema and limb deformities. While the 14 and 21 days old embryos exhibited patchy plumage, congenital glaucoma, spina bifida occulta, and limb deformities. Rate of occurrence of these abnormalities were decreased with co-treatment of CN with olive oil or/and vitE. It was thus concluded that CN contained potent avian developmental disruption potentials while the co-treatment of vitamin E and/or olive oil have been found to curtail the chances of CN induced embryonic disruptions in developing chick.