STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF THE INSECT GROWTH REGULATOR LUFENURON ON EMBRYOGENESIS OF CHICK GALLUS domesticus (WHITE LEGHORN STRAIN)

An attempt was made to evaluate the effect of an Insect Growth Regulator, Lufenuron (Match , 5.4% EC) on vertebrates’ embryogenesis using Gallus domesticus as a model. Lufenuron (10μl and 100μl of 54ppm) when injected in pre incubated eggs (96hr, Hamburger and Hamilton 22-23) of G. domesticus was found to induce structural and skeletal anomalies in the developing embryos. At the dose of 10μl of Lufenuron, 100% survival of the embryo was obtained but the chicks failed to hatch. At the higher dose of 100μl of Lufenuron, retardation of the embryogenesis and induction of teratogenesis was observed. The morphological and skeletal anomalies reported were abdominal hernia, macropthalmia, macrocephaly, caudal regression syndrome and deflection of hind limb digits. In conclusion, Lufenuron (100μl of 54ppm) is embryotoxic and teratogenic to a non target organism, chick. Thus exposure to Lufenuron in the food chain may leads to undesirable consequences in vertebrates.