Abstract

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF ACETAMIPRID IN RATS

Shimaa M. Abou Zeid*

ABSTRACT

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used group of insecticides. In the current investigation, developmental toxicity of acetamiprid as a representative of neonicotinoids was studied in rats. Acetamiprid was orally given to pregnant rats on GD 6 through 15 at a dose level of 31.4 mg/kg (equivalent to 1/10th LD50). Pregnant females were sacrificed on GD 20 and the number of implantations, resorptions and live fetuses were recorded. Fetuses were subjected to morphological, soft tissue and skeletal examinations. The number of resorptions increased with reduction of the number of implantations and live fetuses. Both placental and fetal weights were reduced. Morphological and soft tissue examination revealed significant elevations in the number of fetuses with dwarfism, eye anomalies (microphthalmia and anophthalmia), intrathoracic hemorrhage, lung hypoplasia and heart hypertrophy. In addition, non-significant increases in the frequency of exencephaly, spina bifida and dilatation of nares, brain ventricles and renal pelvis were noticed. Significant skeletal anomalies were recorded in the form of widely opened fontanel, incomplete ossification of skull and sternbrae, short ribs, and absences of phalanges and sacral and caudal vertebrae. In conclusion, acetamiprid was demonstrated to be teratogenic to rats producing morphological, soft tissue and skeletal anomalies.

Keywords: Acetamiprid, Rat, Developmental, Toxicity.