Subacute toxicity of monocrotophos and its influence on circulating enzymes of Bubalus bubalis.

Oral administration of 0.5 mg/kg/day monocrotophos for 28 days caused death in one out of three animals. A dose of 2.0 mg/kg/day of monocrotophos was 100 percent lethal within 8-12 days after start of insecticide administration. Clinical symptoms were mainly characterised by ataxia, knuckling of limbs, progressive paralysis and prostration. Monocrotophos at both doses caused significant inactivation of erythrocyte cholinesterase (29.4-50.8%) and caused significant elevation in the serum levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases.