Acute oral toxicity of hexachlorocyclohexane and X-factor to poultry Gallus domesticus.

Twelve week old male birds (Gallus domesticus) were intragastrically administered technical grade samples of Benzene hexachloride (gamma-isomer: 13%) and X-factor (gamma-isomer: 16%) [a by-product obtained during separation of gamma-isomer from (BHC)] in capsules with a view of establishing oral LD50 values. The computed oral LD50 values for BHC and X-factor were 596.8 and 589.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively, indicating no variation in their susceptibility to these pesticides. observations on symptoms, feed intake, body weight gain, organ weights, and microscopic examination of vital organs are reported.