Fifteen Slovak Merino sheep were included in the experiment. The animals weighing 21-28 kg were divided into three groups per five animals. In a six-week feeding experiment the animals of group I were given 50 mg
supermethrin per kg live weight per day while those of group II received 200, and from week four of the experiment 300 mg
supermethrin per kg live weight per day. During the experiment changes of
aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1),
alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2),
acetylcholine esterase (EC 3.1.1.7),
urea und
creatinine levels in blood serum were observed. Six weeks after
supermethrin treatment the sheep were slaughtered and histochemical evaluation of
alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2),
acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and
non-specific esterase (EC 3.1.1.1) was carried out in liver, kidney, duodenum, jejunum and ileum. In the course of the experiment changes of the enzymatic activities of
aspartate aminotransferase observed in both experimental groups of sheep were similar to those seen in the control group of animals (Tab. I). As compared to the starting values, no significant changes in the activity of
alanine aminotransferase were observed in group II of the experiment and in the controls. However, a significantly decreased
alanine aminotransferase activity could be seen in the blood serum of sheep of group I (Tab. II). In both experimental groups of animals no significant changes in the
acetylcholine esterase could be seen (Tab. III). As compared to the starting values, no significant changes were observed in
creatinine levels of the control and the 1st experimental group of sheep (Tab. IV). In the sheep of the 2nd group a temporary significant decrease (p < 0.05) in
creatinine levels was seen. The dynamics of
urea levels was similar to starting values in all animals throughout the experiment Tab. V). In the control group of animals (Fig. 1) the high density of reaction product of
alkaline phosphatase was determined in the microvilli of enterocytes of the small intestine. In the small intestine of the animals of both experimental groups, the activity of this
enzyme was shown to be located in the same zone (Fig. 2). In all experimental animals in the parenchyma of the liver and kidney no significant changes could be observed. In both experimental and control animals the high activity of
acid phosphatase was demonstrated to be located especially in the cytoplasma of enterocytes. The activity of
non-specific esterase was located in the cytoplasma of enterocytes of the small intestine, in the intestinal crypts its activity was slight up to high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)