Nerve conduction studies in chickens given phenyl saligenin phosphate and corticosterone

Clinical signs of delayed neuropathy were induced in adult white leghorn chickens given the organophosphorus ester phenyl saligenin phosphate (PSP, 2.5 mg/kg im) 22-24 d before assessment of nerve conduction parameters. Damage to the myelinated sensory portion of the sciatic nerve was indicated by abnormal compound action potentials in treated chickens. In particular, the amplitude of the A beta response was markedly reduced. In addition, the A beta fibers did not respond normally to increasing stimulation intensity. These parameters were more like controls in chickens that had been given PSP and 30 ppm corticosterone for 11 d, beginning 1 d before PSP administration. These studies indicated that nerve conduction parameters could distinguish peripheral nerve damage in chickens given PSP and improvement could be noted in chickens treated with corticosterone.