toxic impact of sub-chronic oral exposure of cyfluthrin on antioxidant status in buffalo calves

cyfluthrinm[cyano[4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl]-methyl-3-[2,2-dichloroethenyl]-2,2-dimethyl-cyclo propane carboxylate] is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, that has both contact and stomach poison action. the present study evaluated the long-term toxic effects of cyfluthrin on antioxidant status in buffalo calves. oral administration of cyfluthrin at a dose rate of 10 and 20 mg/kg/d for 11 consecutive weeks did not produce any marked toxic symptoms in the buffalo calves. however, the oral administration of cyfluthrin resulted in a significant increase in the extent of lipid peroxidation. this increase was dose dependent with an elevation to the extent of 48.5% in low dose group and 64.4% in the high dose group. similarly there was also an increase in the enzymic activity of glutathione peroxidase to the extent of 16.9% and 18.8%, in low-dose and high-dose groups respectively. the repeated administration of cyfluthrin produced a significant depletion of the blood glutathione levels as well as the enzymic activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase. thus on the basis of the present investigation it can be concluded that cyfluthrin is a moderately toxic pesticide.