Evaluation of toxicity of cholecalciferol against Bandicota bengalensis
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Date
2014
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
In present study, mature Bandicota bengalensis of both sexes were live trapped from crop fields and commensal situations in and around Ludhiana. After acclimatization, healthy rats of both sexes were weighed and divided into groups of five rats each. During treatment, different groups of female rats were administered single oral doses of cholecalciferol @ 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 130, 150 and 200 mg/kg bw and male rats @ 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100 and 150 mg/kg bw. Rats of untreated control groups were administered 1mL of the vehicle only. The least tolerated dose of cholecalciferol causing 100% mortality within 3-7 days in male and within 3-11 days in female rats was found to be 50 mg/kg bw. The LD50 value of cholecalciferol in male and female rats was determined as 30.93 and 34.94 mg/kg bw, respectively. Post-treatment food consumption by both male and female rats was significantly low from pre-treatment food consumption at all the doses tested. The level of calcium and phosphorus in serum of male and female rats after 48 h of treatment was found increased significantly at all the doses tested with highest increase at 50 mg/kg bw. Histopathological study of different tissues (heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, stomach, spleen, ovaries and testes) of treated and untreated rats revealed lymphomononuclear cell infiltration in response to toxicity of cholecalciferol along with cellular degeneration and mineralization. Present study suggests the use of cholecalciferol as a rodenticide for managing population of B. bengalensis in crop fields and premises.