Effect of dietary malathion on hepatic microsomal drug-metabolizing systems of Gallus domesticus.

White leghorn cockerels were fed a diet containing 0, 400, 800 and 1600 ppm of malathion for 90 days. Malathion O,O-dimethyl S-(1,2-dicarbethoxy) ethyl phosphorodithioate) at 800 and 1600 ppm caused a significant decrease in body weights. There was a significant increase in liver/body weight ratio. A marked inhibition of aniline hydroxylation and demethylation of p-chloro N-methyl aniline was observed in the 9000 X g supernatant fraction of liver. Protein contents of liver supernatant of the treated group were significantly lower than control. Plasma half-lives of antipyrine in cockerels receiving malathion at 800 and 1600 ppm were considerably increased. Pentobarbital sleeping time was longer in malathion-treated cockerels.