Abstract:
Carbofuran is a widely used carbamate pesticide that has been detected in ground, surface and
rain waters. To assess the toxic effect of carbofuran in this study, Wistar rats numbering twentyeight, were orally exposed to sub-lethal doses of carbofuran at 1/40th, 1/20th, and 1/10th of its
LD50. After 50 days of exposure certain hematological parameters were evaluated. A significant
decrease (p < 0.05) in red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and
mean corpuscular volume was observed in the carbofuran-exposed rats. Meanwhile, the exposure
resulted in the elevation of the white blood cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils levels
in the rats. However, a mixed trend in the thrombocytic indices (total platelet count, mean
platelet volume, pro-calcitonin and platelet distribution width) was observed. The exposure to the
pesticide, carbofuran produced microcytic anemia and leukocytosis in the rats, in a non-dose
dependent manner |
