Age and gender related neuropsychobehavioural toxicodynamics of imidacloprid in rats
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Date
2009
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LUVAS
Abstract
Acute toxicity study of imidacloprid and its effects on neuropsychobehavioural profiles were studied in adult, prepubertal and weanling male and female Wistar rats to find out the differences in age and gender related toxicodynamics. The oral MTD value of imidacloprid was 1900 mg/kg in adult male rats, 1800 mg/kg in adult female rats, 1700 mg/kg in prepubertal male rats, 1600 mg/kg in prepubertal female rats and 1500 mg/kg in both weanling male and female rats. Thus MTD of imidacloprid varied with age and gender, the young one and female were found to be more sensitive. This indicated the relation of toxicity/sensitivity is sex hormone dependent, the female being more sensitive. Significant difference in onset, peak time and intensity of neurobehavioural effects were found in weanling, prepubertal and adult rats in most of the behavioural parameters with respect to age and gender. No autonomic muscarinic effect was observed in any of the groups during acute toxicity and neurobehavioural studies at any of the dose levels of imidacloprid used in this investigation indicating that even at lethal dose the selectivity profile of imidacloprid for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor will be same. Pain response and touch response were reduced in weanling, prepubertal and adult rats. Prepubertal and weanling rats were similarly affected. Corneal reflex was affected in weanling, prepubertal and adult rats whereas pinnal reflex and startle response was not affected in adult rats. Spontaneous motor activity (SMA) was reduced more in weanling maleS as compared to prepubertal and adult male rats. Overall, weanling rats were more sensitive to toxicity of imidacloprid and prepubertal and adult female were more affected than corresponding male rats.