Correlation of salt gland function with levels of chlorpyrifos in the feed of mallard ducklings

The salt gland of the mallard duckling, Anas platyrhynchos, has been proposed as a model for testing the toxicity of organophosphorous pesticides because these compounds depress the function of the gland. Ducklings on either a fresh- or saltwater diet were fed various levels of chlorpyrifos in their feed to see if there was a correlation between level of pesticide, salt gland function, and brain and salt gland cholinesterase activity. The results showed that there was an inverse correlation between level of chlorpyrifos and (i) salt gland function, (ii0 brain cholinesterase activity, and (iii) salt gland cholinesterase activity. These results support the premise that the salt gland of the mallard duckling may be a useful model for testing exposure to organophosphorous pesticides.