Effects of Deltamethrin and Endosulfan on the Hepatic Markers and Neurobehavioural Alterations in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
- 2Department of Biological & Chemical Sciences, University of Rasul, Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan.
- 3College of Biological Resources and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing, China.
- 4State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- 5Department of Development Studies, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- 6School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract
Background
Deltamethrin (DLM), a synthetic pyrethroid, and endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, frequently co-occur in agricultural environments, yet their combined effects on hepatic function and behaviour in non-target avian species remain poorly understood.Objectives
This study examined the toxic effects of combined DLM and endosulfan exposure on hepatic markers, lipid profile and neurobehaviour in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).Methods
Twelve adult quails were divided into three groups receiving: (1) control, (2) low-dose (0.1 mg/kg DLM + 0.15 mg/kg endosulfan) or (3) high-dose (0.4 mg/kg DLM + 0.5 mg/kg endosulfan) via daily oral gavage for 3 weeks. Body and organ weights, serum hepatic and lipid biomarkers and behavioural parameters were assessed.Results
The high-dose group showed a significant reduction in body weight compared with controls, while liver weight remained stable and kidney weights decreased in a dose-dependent manner. AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) were substantially increased in treated groups (p < 0.05), indicating hepatocellular damage. Lipid profiles showed significant elevations in LDL, VLDL and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Behavioural assessments demonstrated dose-dependent effects, including increased agonistic behaviour, reduced locomotor activity and dose-dependent onset of mucoid faeces (first recorded in Week 1 in the high-dose group and Week 2 in the low-dose group, with none observed in controls); foraging behaviour declined sharply in high-dose birds by Week 3.Conclusions
Combined pesticide exposure induces measurable hepatotoxicity, metabolic disruption and neurobehavioural abnormalities in quail at the tested doses. These effects are consistent with DLM-mediated activation of Na+ channels and endosulfan-induced blockade of GABA_A receptors.
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BibTeX
@article{malik2026effects,
title = {{Effects of Deltamethrin and Endosulfan on the Hepatic Markers and Neurobehavioural Alterations in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).}},
author = {Saba Malik and Shoaib Ahmad and Muhammad Naeem and Iqra Bibi and Muhammad Sakandar Majid and Hafiza Sadia and Sheeba Riaz and Md Abu Bakkar Siddik},
journal = {Veterinary medicine and science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/vms3.71299},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904812},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of Deltamethrin and Endosulfan on the Hepatic Markers and Neurobehavioural Alterations in Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica).
AU - Saba Malik
AU - Shoaib Ahmad
AU - Muhammad Naeem
AU - Iqra Bibi
AU - Muhammad Sakandar Majid
AU - Hafiza Sadia
AU - Sheeba Riaz
AU - Md Abu Bakkar Siddik
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Veterinary medicine and science
DO - 10.1002/vms3.71299
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904812
AB - Background Deltamethrin (DLM), a synthetic pyrethroid, and endosulfan, an organochlorine pesticide, frequently co-occur in agricultural environments, yet their combined effects on hepatic function and behaviour in non-target avian species remain poorly understood.Objectives This study examined the toxic effects of combined DLM and endosulfan exposure on hepatic markers, lipid profile and neurobehaviour in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).Methods Twelve adult quails were divided into three groups receiving: (1) control, (2) low-dose (0.1 mg/kg DLM + 0.15 mg/kg endosulfan) or (3) high-dose (0.4 mg/kg DLM + 0.5 mg/kg endosulfan) via daily oral gavage for 3 weeks. Body and organ weights, serum hepatic and lipid biomarkers and behavioural parameters were assessed.Results The high-dose group showed a significant reduction in body weight compared with controls, while liver weight remained stable and kidney weights decreased in a dose-dependent manner. AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) were substantially increased in treated groups (p < 0.05), indicating hepatocellular damage. Lipid profiles showed significant elevations in LDL, VLDL and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Behavioural assessments demonstrated dose-dependent effects, including increased agonistic behaviour, reduced locomotor activity and dose-dependent onset of mucoid faeces (first recorded in Week 1 in the high-dose group and Week 2 in the low-dose group, with none observed in controls); foraging behaviour declined sharply in high-dose birds by Week 3.Conclusions Combined pesticide exposure induces measurable hepatotoxicity, metabolic disruption and neurobehavioural abnormalities in quail at the tested doses. These effects are consistent with DLM-mediated activation of Na+ channels and endosulfan-induced blockade of GABA_A receptors.
SN - 2053-1095
ER -