Abstract:
The study investigated the effect of various doses of carbendazim on the morphology of the
magnum of the Japanese quail. No morphological changes were observed in the magnum
in birds treated with carbendazim at doses of 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg bodyweight. A
carbendazim dose of 400 mg/kg bodyweight was the lowest dose which caused morphological
changes in the magnum. Histologically, carbendazim caused pyknosis and glandular atrophy
in the magnum mucosa. Carbendazim also caused significant decreases in the height of
the mucosal folds, epithelial height, glandular width and glandular luminal diameter at
400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg (p < 0.05). At ultrastructural level, dose-dependent deciliation
was observed. Pyknotic nuclei, dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, swollen
mitochondria, numerous vacuoles and lysosomes in the luminal and glandular epithelia were
identified. The observed degenerative changes could be due to cytoskeletal disruption caused
by carbendazim toxicity. Degeneration of the luminal and glandular cells in the magnum pose a
potential threat to the egg production and reproduction of exposed birds.
