Embryonic toxicity of a mancozeb containing fungicide formulation and Cu-sulphate in pheasant after individual or combined administration.

Cu-sulphate and a 80% mancozeb containing fungicide formulation (Dithane M-45) were studied in pheasants after administration as single compounds or in combination. The test materials were injected directly into the air-chamber of eggs on day 12 of the hatching period and evaulation was carried out on day 23 of incubation. The pheasant embryos were examined for the following: rate of embryo mortality, body mass, type of developmental anomalies, light microscopic examination. After the administration of copper-sulphate on day 12 of incubation, the average body weight of pheasant embryos significantly did not decrease as compared to the control. The embryonic mortality was 68%. After the administration of a mancozeb containing fungicide formulation (Dithane M-45) on day 12 of incubation, the average body weight of embryos did not decrease as compared to the control. The embryonic mortality was 50%. After the individual administration of pesticide, the incidence of developmental anomalies was very high. After the combined administration of copper-sulphate and the 80% mancozeb containing fungicide formulation (Dithane M-45) on day 12 of incubation the embryonic mortality markedly increased. The rate of embryo mortality was 93%. We did not find any degenerative change in the liver tissue in either the control group or the treated groups by light microscopic examination. In summary, it can be established that the simultaneous administration of Cu-sulphate and mancozeb containing fungicide formulation caused high toxicity compared with the individual toxicity of test materials.