Biochemical study of muscle samples from chicken embryos affected by Wofatox 50 EC.

On day 12 of incubation 0.4% and 4.0% aqueous emulsions of Wofatox 50 EC (50% methylparathion) were injected into the air space of the chicken egg. The eggs were opened on the day 19 of incubation and samples were obtained from both cervical and femoral muscles. Atrophy was found only in the cervical muscles by light microscopic evaluation. It is known that the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase causes a permanent inflow and accumulation of Ca2+ especially in the cervical muscle due to the increased mass and energy utilization in the last period before hatching. Changes in the activity of creatine kinase were expressed in a decreased creatine and creatine-phosphate content.