Delayed neurotoxicity induced by organophosphorus compounds in the wild mallard duckling: effect of leptophos.

Feeding of 260 ppm of leptophos to mallard ducklings caused delayed neurotoxicity similar to that reported for hens. Thus leptophos caused ataxia, with subsequent paralysis, loss of appetite, and slow-down in the growth rate of the treated birds. Spinal lesions were identical in morphology and distribution to those seen in hens following leptophos administration. The severity of histologic changes correlated both with the clinical condition and the duration of intoxication.