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1. This study was to determine the effects of strain, age of the maternal flock and sex on morphological characteristics and composition of tibial bone of broilers from hatch to 48 d of age. 2. A total of 600 chicks was obtained from 2 strains of broiler breeder flocks (150/chicks/strain/maternal age). Maternal flock age was classified as young (32 to 35 weeks of age) or old (56 to 58 weeks of age). Birds were reared under standard feeding and lighting regimes. 3. On day 1, 16, 32 and 48, twelve birds were selected at random from each maternal group, strain and sex and killed. The wet bone weight and volume were measured. Morphological characteristics of tibia were determined using radiography. Bone breaking strength was tested. Tibia dry matter, ash content, mineral density and collagen level were determined. 4. A quadratic increase occurred with increase in age of broilers for all variables, except proximal width, medial cortex thickness and distal condyle width which increased in a linear manner. 5. Maternal age had a significant effect only on the variably measured at the time of hatch. On day of hatch bone weight, ash content and bone volume were affected by maternal age, but the extent of this also depended on the strain. 6. The differences observed between strains for bone anatomy and bone mineralisation during the rapid growth period of 16 d were not significant at later ages, with the exception of bone volume. Differences between sexes were evident from 16 to 49 d of age with females having lower values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different kinds of organophosphorous compounds (OP) are used as pesticides in Turkish agriculture. Suicidal, accidental, or occupational exposure may occur in developing countries. OP inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities; on the other hand, serum paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyzes the toxic metabolites of a variety of OP. In recent years, some studies have shown that PON1 activity is an important marker in individuals who are exposed to OP. Both serum cholinesterase and PON1 activities were measured spectrophotometrically from 18 male agricultural workers who were chronically exposed to azinphos methyl, chlorpyriphos, or malathion and other pesticides during cereal spraying, transportation, and storage. The individuals were classified according to PON1 phenotypes using the antimode 60% stimulation method to determine the dividing point between non-salt-stimulated, A type (homozygotes for the low activity allele), and salt-stimulated AB (heterozygotes) and B types (homozygotes for the high-activity allele). A positive correlation was found between AChE activities and percent of PON1 stimulation. The individuals with phenotype A had the lowest enzyme activities. This study suggests that individuals with phenotype A might be more sensitive to OP-induced toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]