EVALUATION OF THE TOXIC POTENTIAL OF GRAMOXONE HERBICIDE ON THE WEIGHT AND LIVER OF ALBINO RATS.

This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of diluted gramoxone herbicide at a dilution factor of 104 in a 10-fold serial dilution in graded doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg b.w on male and female rats. Forty male and female rats of weights 79g to 119g were divided into group A, B, C and D. Each group contains 5 males and 5 females. Control group A and 0.25,0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg b.w orally treated rats in group B, C, and D were fed with pelletized feeds and water ad libitum for 28 days respectively. The rats were allowed to starve a day and weighed prior to sacrifice. Blood samples were collected in EDTA bottles. Result showed a decrease in AST, ALT, ALP in all treated groups in male rats, a decrease in AST in all treated groups, in ALT in group B and C (p>0.05) but an increase in ALT in group D and an increase in ALP in all treated group in female rats (p<0.05) compared with control. TP showed a decrease in all treated group in male rats (p<0.05) measured with control. Albumin decreased/increased in group B/C in male rats, increased in group C and equal values in group B and D in male and female rats compared with control. There was an increased in weight in all treated groups and mild inflammatory effects on the liver tissue in group B and D. The results further registered gramoxone herbicide having paraquat as active ingredient toxic to the liver even at a much diluted state and at low doses.