Toxic interactions between copper sulphate and some organic agrochemicals

Groups of rats were treated with graded doses of zineb or aldicarb solely or in association with copper sulphate for nine consecutive weeks. Body weight gain was retarded and thymus gland weight was decreased in all treated groups. A pronounced synergism between copper sulphate and zineb was noticed in lowering the weights of thymus, testes, and adrenal glands. Various degrees of reduction in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells and platelet counts occurred after treatment with the above-mentioned agrochemical regimen. Copper sulphate synergised the elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, and bilirubin concentration as well the reduction of hemoglobin concentration by zineb. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly increased, while cholinesterase (ChE) activity was decreased in all treated groups. Serum triglycerides (TGs) were lowered in rats treated with medium or high doses of zineb or aldicarb.