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This study aimed to determine the morphological, pomological, biochemical contents, and molecular characterization of 11 cucumber genotypes of Egyptian origin and to reveal their molecular characterization. As a result it was determined that the highest fruit weight, the highest fruit length, and the highest fruit width were in the "Rahaf" genotype (respectively, 337.39 g, 23.25 cm, 53.97 mm). Biochemical analyses of the genotypes revealed that the highest total phenolic content was in the "Madayın" genotype (1938 mg gallic acid equivalent 100 g−1), the highest total antioxidant content was in the "C.5" genotype (59.25% inhibition), and the highest total flavonoid content was in the "Gazir" genotype (752.78 mg catechin equivalent 100 g−1). The highest Chlorophyll (a) content and Chlorophyll (a+b) was in the "Madayın" genotype (respectively, 4.33 mg g−1, 20.92 mg g−1), the highest Chlorophyll (b) content was in the "Iskay" genotype (6.59 mg g−1). It was determined that there were differences between genotypes in terms of other biochemical parameters examined. Using ten Inter Simple Sequence Repeat primers, 119 bands were obtained and the polymorphism rate was determined as 90.75%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of Cyanobacteria in lakes with different physicochemical properties provides insights into the diversity of this phylum and knowledge of their features that are relevant to biotechnology applications. Six Cyanobacterial isolates were recovered from freshwater Lake Nasser and saline Lake Qarun, Egypt. The isolates were identified based on both morphology and molecular markers, 16S rRNA, and RuBisCO cbbL genes. The isolates SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4, Q1, and Q2 showed homologies with Merismopedia, Oscillatoria, Limnothrix, Persinema, and Jacksonvillea, respectively. The cbbL sequences for isolates SN1, Q1, and Q2 represented the first records for candidates relating to the genera Merismopedia and Persinema, and Jacksonvillea, respectively. Biochemical contents, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, pigments, and ash-free dry weight were measured for each isolate. Isolate SN2 had the highest content of allophycocyanin, 71 ± 4.8 mg/g DW, and phycoerythrin, 98 ± 6.7 mg/g DW, while the isolate SN4 had the highest composition of total protein, lipid, carotenoid, and chlorophyll a, recording 364.7 ± 6.4 mg/g DW, 67.6 ± 0.2 mg/g DW, 0.261 ± 0.01 mg/g DW, and 10 ± 0.6 mg/g DW, respectively. Isolate Q1 recorded the maximum amount of phycocyanin, 114 ± 20.7 mg/g DW among isolates. The isolate Q2 was observed to have the highest carbohydrate content, 274 ± 14.5 (mg/g DW), and ash-free dry weight, 891.8 ± 2.8 mg/g DW. Thus, the study indicated that the current isolates may represent promising resources for biotechnological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought and heat stress are potential problems that can reduce wheat yield, particularly during the terminal growth stages in arid and semiarid regions of the world. The current study intended to examine the impact of individual and combined drought and heat stress on the biochemical contents (antioxidant enzymes, proline, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars), physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, cell membrane stability, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration), plant-water relations (relative water content, water potential, osmotic potential, and pressure potential), agronomic traits (flag leaf area, plant height, number of tillers per plant, spike length, grains per spike, and thousand-grain weight), and gene expression (TaHSF1a, TaWRKY-33, TaNAC2L, and TaGASR1) in four different thermostable and drought-tolerant wheat genotypes (i.e., Gold-16, HS-240, Suntop, and Hemai-13) collected from different countries. The tri-replicate experiment was conducted using two factorial arrangements in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). All measured traits, except total soluble sugars, proline, and cell membrane stability index, showed significant reduction under both combined and individual treatments. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a significant association between biochemical and physiological characteristics and crop agronomic productivity. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap analysis demonstrated significant levels of variation in traits according to the type of stress and nature of wheat genotype. The spectrographs and micrographs generated by scanning electron microscopy for the selected highand low-tolerance samples revealed clear differences in mineral distribution and starch granulation. All studied genes showed comparatively high levels of relative expression under combined treatments of drought and heat stress in all wheat genotypes, but this expression was the highest in 'Gold-16' followed by 'HS-240', 'Suntop', and 'Hemai-13'. Overall, this study concluded that plants are proactive entities and they respond to stresses at all levels; however, the tolerant plants tend to retain the integrity of their biochemical, physiological, and molecular equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought and heat stress are potential problems that can reduce wheat yield, particularly during the terminal growth stages in arid and semiarid regions of the world. The current study intended to examine the impact of individual and combined drought and heat stress on the biochemical contents (antioxidant enzymes, proline, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars), physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, cell membrane stability, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration), plant–water relations (relative water content, water potential, osmotic potential, and pressure potential), agronomic traits (flag leaf area, plant height, number of tillers per plant, spike length, grains per spike, and thousand-grain weight), and gene expression (TaHSF1a, TaWRKY-33, TaNAC2L, and TaGASR1) in four different thermostable and drought-tolerant wheat genotypes (i.e., Gold-16, HS-240, Suntop, and Hemai-13) collected from different countries. The tri-replicate experiment was conducted using two factorial arrangements in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). All measured traits, except total soluble sugars, proline, and cell membrane stability index, showed significant reduction under both combined and individual treatments. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a significant association between biochemical and physiological characteristics and crop agronomic productivity. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and heatmap analysis demonstrated significant levels of variation in traits according to the type of stress and nature of wheat genotype. The spectrographs and micrographs generated by scanning electron microscopy for the selected high- and low- tolerance samples revealed clear differences in mineral distribution and starch granulation. All studied genes showed comparatively high levels of relative expression under combined treatments of drought and heat stress in all wheat genotypes, but this expression was the highest in ‘Gold-16’ followed by ‘HS-240’, ‘Suntop’, and ‘Hemai-13’. Overall, this study concluded that plants are proactive entities and they respond to stresses at all levels; however, the tolerant plants tend to retain the integrity of their biochemical, physiological, and molecular equilibrium.

In the present study, the newly recorded red alga Grateloupia gibbesii was collected from the Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt in order to determine the biochemical content, total nitrogen and phosphorus content during winter and spring 2012 in addition to summer 2016. The study moisture, ash content, aminoacids profile, macro-elements (calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium), and trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, cobalt, manganese, selenium, cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury) were addressed during spring 2015 & summer 2016. The concentration of the total carbohydrates, protein, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in the alga was relatively high during summer 2016 (394.30, 268.20, 39.10 mg/g and1680 mg/100 g, respectively). However, the lipid content of Grateloupia gibbesii experienced low values during the study period. The fatty acids profile showed the highest concentration during winter 2012 (922.09 μg/g). The moisture and ash content of Grateloupia gibbesii recorded the highest percentages (24.01 and 27.72%) during spring 2015, respectively. The total amino acids (EAA) attained a maximum of 732.20 mg/g during spring 2015. The macro-elements and trace elements mostly showed higher content during spring 2015 compared to summer 2016. The results of ANOVA test revealed that the seasonal variation in all the biochemical contents recorded a highly significant difference (P< 0.0001). The moisture and ash content showed a significant difference (P< 0.0001) during spring 2015 & summer 2016. For the macro-elements, the values of potassium and magnesium were significantly different during spring 2015 & summer 2016, while sodium and calcium were not significantly different during the two seasons. All the trace metals were not affected by seasonal variation, except for nickel, iron, selenium and mercury (P< 0.0001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study is on the nutritional efficiency of the host plants viz., Corchorus olitorius, C. capsularis, Hibiscus cannabinus, H. sabdariffa, Crotoloria juncea and Boemheria nivea and their biochemical influences on Bihar hairy caterpillar Spilosoma obliqua (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae). The results revealed that the nutritional and biochemical parameters varied significantly with the infested and uninfested host plants. The growth rate of 5th instar larvae varied from 13.06 mg/ day in B. nivea to 17.90 mg/ day in C. olitorius; it was 14.80 ± 0.69, 16.74 ± 0.74, 14.94 ± 0.29 and 15.06 ± 0.26 mg/ day on C. capsularis, H. cannabinus, H. sabdariffa, C. juncea and B. nivea, respectively. Thus, C. olitorius appeared to be the most suitable food source for growth and development of S. obliqua. Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase were elicited by the infestation of S. obliqua indicating their role in insect defence. Higher phenol and peroxidase content in the host plants adversely affected the food utilization indices. This is the possible explanation for variation in food consumption and development of S. obliqua; and it might be due to significant differences in the biochemical contents of the evaluated bast fibre crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lab experiment was conducted under natural conditions in Higher and Moderate Institute of Agricultural Technology Labs, Algheran, Libya to study storage period, package, type and their interactions effects on germination, seedling characters, infestation percent, and biochemical components of Sidi Almasry barley grains. Split-plot in completely randomized design in three replications was used. The most important results could be summarized as follows: Increasing storage period up to six months decreased 1000-grains weight, falling number, seedling and radical length, however grain-moisture, protein, fat and ash contents and infestation percentage with Fusarium were significantly increased. On the other hand, high density polyethylene bags significantly decreased 1000-grain weight (39.47%), germination percent (83.66%), seedling and radical length (6.09 and 7.99 cm), falling number (384.50) and grain protein content (11.97 %), however, this type of package increased grain moisture content (12.47%) and Fusarium infestation percent (8.47%). Interaction between the two factors indicated that barley grains stored for six months in high density polyethylene significantly decreased 1000-grain weight, germination percent, falling number and increased Fusarium infestation percent, grain moisture and protein contents. Conversely, storage barley grains in jute bags for six months can alleviate the adverse effects on warehouse and other studied package types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Turkey, there is an increasing interest for peach and nectarine fruits due to their sensory properties and nutritional values. The large diffusion of new peach and nectarine cultivars requires the knowledge of all fruit characteristics in connection with the cultivation area to satisfy market demand. This study seeks to determine fruit quality attributes and nutraceutical values of 7 commercially important peach (Glohaven, Dixired, Cresthaven, Redhaven, Merrill Gem Free, June Gold, and Jefferson) and 4 nectarine cultivars (Nectared4, Gransun, Cherokee, and Royal Glo) grown in Malatya region of Turkey. The fruits were evaluated for their phenolic compounds (protocatechuic, rutin, quercetin, gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p - coumaric acid, o - coumaric acid, phloridzin, and ferulic acid), organic acids (citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and fumaric acid), vitamin C, and specific sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose). The results showed that peach and nectarine cultivars grown in the Malatya region exhibit an appreciable quality, but there are significant differences in quality properties of the fruits in different cultivars. Rutin (73.549 mg kg-1), caffeic acid (70.142 mg kg-1), catechin (146.609 mg kg-1), and chlorogenic acid (211.879 mg kg-1) were major phenolic compounds in peach and nectarine fruits. Citric acid and malic acid were dominant organic acids in fruits of peach and nectarine cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic and inorganic fertilizers play a significant role in improving the nutritional quality of Moringa plant (Moringa oleifera). A field experiment of six treatments (control; 5 t/ha Compost; 120 kg/ha NPK; 50 + 50%/ha (NPK + Compost); 10 + 50%/ha (NPK + Compost); and 50 + 10%/ha (NPK + Compost) with three replications was conducted in a randomized complete block design in order to evaluate the effect of the application of compost and NPK fertilizer in various combinations on the biochemical and antioxidant potential of the Moringa plant. The results showed a significant influence of the compost and NPK fertilizer in various combination on the biochemical and antioxidant properties of the plant. Higher amount of carbohydrate, phenolic and flavonoid contents (406.24, 45.23 and 1.69 mg g− 1 dry wt., respectively) were observed in the plant treated with 50 + 50%/ha (NPK + Compost). Protein content (27.91 mg g− 1 dry wt.) was improved by the application of 120 kg/ha NPK fertilizer. The antioxidant properties such as, DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide were analyzed as percentage scavenging and half maximal effective concentration (EC 50) whereas ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) was determined in terms of absorbance at 700 nm and EC 0.50. The half maximal effective concentrations in combined application of NPK and compost (50 + 50%/ha (NPK + Compost)) were the lowest among the fertilizer treatments, resulting in EC 50 value of 27.61, 17.18, 104.24 μg mL− 1 for DPPH, ABTS and nitric oxide assays, respectively whereas in case of the FRAP assay the EC 0.50 value as found out to be 292.35 μg mL− 1. • Moringa oleifera Lam is an important medicinal plant. • This type of research has been done first time in South Korea. • Biochemical and phytochemical analysis have been analyzed first time under different fertilizer doses. • This research highlights the importance of Moringa. • This research will also help to eat Moringa leaves at the stage which has maximum nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The tolerance and antioxidant response of the green alga P. pringsheimii to cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) was investigated. The algal biomass was constant at the relatively lower metal concentrations of Cd and Pb (5, 12 µM, and 2.5–200 µM, respectively), whereas higher concentrations severely inhibited the algal biomass yield. The pigment content of P. pringsheimii decreased due to the investigated metals, especially with Cd concentrations. However, the Pb concentrations of 2.5–200 µM enhanced the pigment content. The carotenoids content was highly repressed by the Cd concentrations. Nevertheless, Pb concentrations highly stimulated the carotenoids content, with the exception of 400 and 500 µM Pb. The biochemical contents of P. pringsheimii including phenolic, total soluble protein and carbohydrate contents responded variably to the investigated metals. The concentrations of Cd were found to be harmful to total soluble protein and carbohydrates, but not the phenolic contents. However, all biochemical contents were stimulated under relatively lower Pb concentrations. Markedly for Pb, the radical scavenging, reducing power, and chelating activities improved under the metals exposure excluding higher concentrations. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD) were highly stimulated with all treatments (except for CAT activities at the highest Cd and Pb concentrations, 300 and 500 µM, respectively). Remarkably, Cd treatments have higher antioxidant enzyme activities compared to that of Pb treatments. The antioxidants augmentation of P. pringsheimii under the metal stress may be exploited for future application in several fields. Highlights • The alga showed tolerance to wide range of metal concentrations. • Cd showed higher toxicity over Pb. • The algal biochemical contents responded variably to the investigated metals. • Antioxidant activity improved with relative lower metal concentrations. • Antioxidant enzyme activity was greater in the Cd treatments compared to that of Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six species of macroalgae belonging to the Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta divisions were cultivated in a closed system with Guillard's f/2, Walne's, Provasoli Enriched Seawater (PES) medium, and seawater (control) for 6 weeks. The growth rate and parameters of the tested seaweeds showed that all used media enhanced the growth rate and chemical content as compared with other seaweeds cultivated in seawater without addition of any nutrients. There are significant differences in the effect of the used media on the seaweed composition atp= .01; PES is more effective than the f/2 and Walne's media. The results indicate that the cultivation technique of some macroalgae was an efficient tool for increasing the seaweeds' biomass and increasing their chemical compounds, calories, and energy under laboratory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Temperature stress is the major environmental regime that affects agricultural production worldwide, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Arid and semi-arid regions are characterized by highly variable environmental conditions were temperature goes extremely low to extremely high and affects the performance, physiology and biochemistry of the plants. This research investigated the effect of temperature regimes on sowing seeds of Calendula officinalis L. at (1, 15 September and 1, 15 October, 2013 and 2014) grown in different soil types (clay, loamy, sand and mix between them). Significant increases in vegetative growth characters were observed for plants cultivated in sandy soil compared to those cultivated in clay loamy or mixed soils. The best result was obtained with 15 September treatment sandy soil plants. This result included higher branches number and leaf area, higher shoot fresh and dry weights, as well as higher number of flowers. Physiological traits include transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration and sample cell H2O, were highly significant in first October planting date with clay loamy soil type in both seasons. Environmental regimes and different soil type’s showed clear effects on the biochemical contents (total soluble protein, H2O2 and catalase activity fractions of the leaves) of three week old seedlings. It is concluded that sowing in September in sandy soil is recommended for Calendula production in arid and semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mancozeb, a fungicide of a manganese-zinc ethylenebisdithio-carbamate (EBDC), was administered by gavage at doses of 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg/day to female virgin mice for 30 days. The mice were autopsied on 31st day. Mice were also treated with similar doses for a period of 30 days and the treatment was withdrawn for a further period of 30 days for reversible study. The mice were autopsied on 61st day. Estrous cycle and follicles were affected in all the mancozeb treated mice when compared to the controls. There was a recovery in number and phases of estrous cycle in the mice after withdrawal of 400 and 600 mg/kg/day mancozeb, however, recovery was not seen in 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice. There was a recovery in the number of follicles in the mice after withdrawal of 400 mg/kg/day mancozeb. However, complete recovery of the follicles was not seen in 600 and 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice. Mice treated with 600 mg/kg/day mancozeb showed significant decrease in the levels of protein and glycogen in the ovary, glycogen and total lipids in the uterus, glycogen in the liver but there was significant increase in the total lipids of the liver. Mice treated with 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb showed significant decrease in protein and glycogen but there was significant increase in total lipids in ovary and liver , however, there was complete decrease in the levels of protein, glycogen and total lipids of the uterus. There was recovery in the levels of protein and total lipids in the ovary and liver in 600 and 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice, however, recovery was not seen in the level of glycogen. There was significant decrease in the relative weight of the ovary and liver whereas spleen and thyroid weights were increased significantly with 800 mg kg/day mancozeb treatment. The recoveries in the relative weight were observed in the ovary, uterus, thymus and thyroid however, recovery in the relative weight was not seen in liver and spleen in 800 mg/kg/day mancozeb withdrawal mice. The results of the present study indicated a marked effect in the recovery of the estrous cycle, follicles and biochemical contents of the ovary, uterus and liver in mice after exposure to mancozeb with lower doses and it was dose dependent.

Oral Supplementation with 50, 100 and 150 ?g/ml calcium chloride to the fifth stadium larvae of CSR2xCSR4 biovoltine hybrid silkworm, B. mori on fat body glycogen, protein, and total lipids and haemolymph trehalose and protein have been studied. One of the four normal feeds per day was substituted with treated leaves fed to silkworms at fifth instar larvae. The controls were fed with the leaves dipped in distilled water and normal leaves. The fat body glycogen with 50 and 100 ?g/ml, haemolymph trehalose with 100 and 150 ?g/ml and fat body protein with all the calcium chloride treated groups were increased significantly when compared over respective carrier controls. There was significant increase in the haemolymph protein with 150 ?g/ml calcium chloride treated group. However, there was no significant change in the haemolymph protein with 50 and 100 ?g/ml calcium chloride treated groups when compared over the respective carrier controls. The fat body total lipids decreased significantly in all the groups treated with calcium chloride when compared over the respective carrier controls. These results indicated that the content of glycogen and protein of the far body and trehalose and protein content of the haemolymph to calcium chloride showed good response in CSR2xCSR4 bivoltine hybrid silkworm, B. mori.

About 19 clones of shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) were raised by using healthy coppice shoot cuttings. After 2 year of establishment and growth, they were examined to identify suitable clone of shisham at nursery stage. Clones were studied for growth (height and basal diameter), chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and biochemical contents (chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, free amino acids, total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars, starch and reducing sugar) in the leaves. Clone C2 and C3 (Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India) had the highest growth and the chlorophyll fluorescence rate among examined clones. Between these two clones, C2 gave the highest response on height, basal diameter and Fv/Fm. Except free amino acids, all other biochemical contents were greater in the clones belonging to Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Growth parameters, i.e. height and basal diameter increment at nursery stage had a positive correlation with all the studied parameters, except free amino acid and total soluble protein. These findings have demonstrated that there are remarkable clonal variations in growth, physiological and biochemical responses at nursery stage. Thus, physiological and biochemical markers can enhance selection efficiency, in addition to growth characteristics such as height and basal diameter as these have practical value in the tree improvement. The study suggests that clones of Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, India had the best performance and could be further tested in plantation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The brain is believed to be particularly vulnerable to arsenic due to its high oxygen consumption rate and high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids and relatively high rate of oxygen free radical generate without commensurable level of arsenic. Hence, in the present work an attempt is made to study the changes in the biochemical contents in the brain tissues of edible fish Labeo rohita due to arsenic intoxication using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra reveal significant differences in absorbance intensities between the control and arsenic intoxicated brain tissues, reflecting an alteration on the major biochemical constituents, such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids of the brain tissues of L. rohita due to arsenic intoxication. Further, the administration of antidote DMSA improves the protein and lipid contents significantly in the brain tissues when compared to arsenic intoxicated tissues. The decrease in α-helix structure due to arsenic intoxication might be responsible for the increase in β-sheet secondary structures, which is consistent with the mechanism of β-sheet formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Zinc is an essential metal for different physiological functions and becomes toxic when elevated concentrations are introduced into the environment. In the present study, an attempt is made to analyze zinc-induced biochemical changes in the liver tissues of freshwater fingerlings of Labeo rohita using Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy. Several important features have been observed in the FTIR spectra of zinc-intoxicated liver tissues, namely, altered membrane lipid, altered protein profile, and increased glycogen content, indicating an alteration in the lipid and protein profiles leading to modification in membrane composition. Further, it is observed that acute exposure to zinc causes some alteration in protein profile with a decrease in α-helix and an increase in random coil structure. Treatment with the chelating agent D-penicillamine reduces the biochemical contents in the liver tissues. This shows that D-penicillamine is a good antidote for zinc toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the effect of carbosulfan administration schedules on estrous cycle and follicular dynamics in albino mice. It is said that carbosulfan methyl carbamate insecticide cum acaricide is best for a wide range of pests on paddy and chillies. Furthermore, the carbamate pesticide mancozeb and carbonfuran are believed to have impact on the vaginal cyclicity and follicles in mice.

Abstract: Phosphamidon is chemically known as phosphoric acid, 2-chloro-2-diethyl carboryl-methylvenyl-0-0-dimethyl phosphate. It is a systemic and contact insecticide with broad spectrum of activity. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate its effects on estrous cycle, ovarian, and uterine biochemical contents in albino mice. Normal virgin female Swiss albino mice of 90 days old and weighing about 20–30g were divided into five groups. Phosphamidon was orally administered at doses 1.3, 2.6, 3.9, and 5.2mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days consecutively. The vaginal smear and body weight were recorded daily and mice were sacrificed on 31st day. Estrous cycle was affected by showing a significant decrease in the number of estrous cycle and duration of proestrus, estrus, and metestrus in all the groups except in 1.3mg/kg body weight/day phosphamidon treated group, and with concomitant increase in the duration of diestrus in all the treated groups. However there is a significant decrease in the body weight in all the groups except 1.3mg/kg body weight/ day phosphamidon treated group. The deleterious effects were also reflected in the loss of weights of ovary and uterus: In mice treated with 2.6, 3.9, and 5.2mg/kg phosphamidon showed a significant decrease in total protein and glycogen in the ovary and uterus. The response of the ovary and uterus for nucleic acid (DNA) content was significantly decreased in higher doses. The observed effects of phosphamidon may be due to imbalance in the hormone or toxic effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]