Authors : B.C. Basak , M.A. Awal , Q. Hasan , M.M. Rahman , M.A. Jalil and M.A.Q. Miah
Abstract: A research work was undertaken following oral doses of doxycycline and calcium with feed for 35 days from January to March, 2002, to study the adverse effect, hematological parameters, serum calcium level and post mortem changes in five groups (A, B, C, D and E) of Swiss albino mice (n=25). Among these groups of mice group A was kept as control. Group B was treated only with doxycycline @ 500 mg kg-1 feed but groups C, D and E was given calcium @ 400 mg, 800 mg & 1200 mg kg-1 feed respectively in addition to doxycycline @ 500 mg kg-1 feed. All the treated groups of mice showed clinical signs like roughness of the body, depression, anorexia, weakness, staggering gait, recumbency at latter stage of the study period but these clinical signs were mild in calcium supplemented groups of mice. No visible adverse effect found in the offspring of any group of mice. Administration of doxycycline resulted significant decrease in total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin content (Hb%), percentage of neutrophil count & serum calcium level in all treated mice but calcium supplementation gradually improved these results in groups C, D & E respectively. Following post mortem examination, all the visceral organs were found to be highly congested and blood was blackish in colour in group B whereas mild or no congestion was found in calcium supplemented group, i.e., groups C, D & E. From the findings of the present study it may be concluded that long term administration of doxycycline results adverse effects as well as decrease serum calcium level. So, when doxycycline is to be administered for long period of time supplementation of calcium should be considered simultaneously.
B.C. Basak , M.A. Awal , Q. Hasan , M.M. Rahman , M.A. Jalil and M.A.Q. Miah , 2004. Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Clinical and Hemato-biochemical Parameters Following Long Term Administration of Doxycycline in Mice . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 348-352.