Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Technology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Online published on 13 December, 2017.
Imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide is widely and most commonly used in secticide in pest control, seed treatment, termite control and as an ectoparasiticide in veterinary medicine. Its effects on non-target mammals have not been studied exten sively. Study to assess its effects on microelement copper in ovarian tissue was carried out in adult female Wistar rats at two levels (19 and 38 mg/kg/day) administered orally for 10, 20 and 30 days. Effects were compared with respective control groups adminis tered with 2% gum acacia (1ml/100g b.wt).
There was no significant difference observed (p < 0.05) in levels of copper in ovarian tissue at 19 and 38 mg/kg dose of imidacloprid administered orally for 10, 20 and 30 days, respectively. However non significant increase was observed in rats admin istered with imidacloprid 38 mg/kg for 20 days. Therefore, it is concluded that imidacloprid might alter microelements uptake by ovarian tissue or microelements redistribution within the organs and might affect directly or indirectly the synthesis of reproductive hormones. The results may be used for establishing a biomarker to imidacloprid poison ing/toxicity, and thus may help in differential diagnosis of poisoning or toxicity.
