monocrotophos and Body-Weight

Studies on the neurobehavioral toxicity of monocrotophos, an organophosphate, have been carried out on rats following their exposure from postnatal day (PD) 22 to PD 49 to investigate whether neurobehavioral changes are transient or persistent. Exposure of rats to monocrotophos (0.50 or 1.0 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) decreased body weight (10% and 30%) and impaired grip strength (28% and 32%) and learning ability (65% and 68%) at both the doses, respectively in comparison to controls. A trend of recovery was observed in body weight and learning, while decrease in grip strength persisted in rats 15 days after withdrawal. Activity of acetylcholinesterase was decreased in frontal cortex (36% and 67%), hippocampus (21% and 49%) and cerebellum (29% and 51%) in monocrotophos-treated rats at both the doses. The decrease in the activity of acetylcholinesterase persisted in frontal cortex and hippocampus; however, a trend of recovery was observed in cerebellum 15 days after withdrawal. Binding of (3)H-quinuclidinyl benzilate ((3)H-QNB) to frontocortical (19% and 35%), hippocampal (32% and 39%) and cerebellar (19% and 28%) membranes was decreased in monocrotophos-treated rats compared to controls. The decrease in the binding of (3)H-QNB persisted in frontocortical, hippocampal and cerebellar membranes 15 days after withdrawal. The results suggest that repeated exposure to monocrotophos in rats may cause behavioral and neurochemical modifications which may persist even after withdrawal. The findings are of concern in view of the high consumption of monocrotophos in many countries.

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Avoidance Learning; Body Weight; Brain; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Female; Hand Strength; Monocrotophos; Muscle Weakness; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Muscarinic

Neurotoxicity of organophosphate pesticide poisoning, a lead cause of death in South Asia, has not been clearly elucidated. Organophosphates inhibit acetylcholinesterase and neurotoxicity is primarily a result of acetylcholine induced hyperactivation in different regions of the brain. Neurotoxicity also results from oxidative stress induced by acetylcholinesterase inhibition in the brain. Determining the severity of acetylcholinesterase inhibition that induces oxidative damage may help in developing strategies that protect the brain from organophosphate induced toxicity.. To determine the level of acetylcholinesterase inhibition that induces oxidative stress in the brain following organophosphate pesticide poisoning.. Brains of rats subject to acute monocrotophos poisoning (0.8 LD(50) by gavage) were assessed for acetylcholinesterase activity, antioxidant response and oxidative damage 2.5 and 8h after poisoning and on recovery from poisoning 24h later after poisoning. Assessments were made in the cortex, striatum and hippocampus, cholinergic rich regions and cerebellum, targets of organophosphate pesticide poisoning. Analysis was in comparison to non poisoned controls.. High acetylcholinesterase activities were noted in striatum followed by hippocampus, cerebellum and cortex. Acute severe monocrotophos poisoning inhibited acetylcholinesterase 87% in striatum, 67% in hippocampus, 58% in cerebellum, 53% in cortex and increased glutathione levels significantly in all brain regions 2.5h after poisoning. Significant lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes were induced 8h after poisoning, directly correlated to high acetylcholinesterase inhibition (>67%). Recovery from monocrotophos poisoning was associated with absence of lipid peroxidation in the brain although acetylcholinesterase inhibition persisted.. Neurotoxicity of monocrotophos poisoning is characterized by oxidative damage in regions of the brain that exhibit high acetylcholinesterase activity and severe acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Recovery from poisoning is associated with prolonged induction of antioxidants that protect against oxidative damage.

Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Body Weight; Brain; Catalase; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Lacrimal Apparatus; Lipid Peroxidation; Monocrotophos; Muscle Strength; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Salivation; Superoxide Dismutase; Time Factors

The response of NADPH cytochrome C reductase (NCCR) activity in liver of Labeo rohita fish exposed to the pesticides, 0.25 microgl(-1) endosulfan and 2 mg/l monocrotophos was studied. In terms of specific enzyme activity (mU/mg protein) a significant level of NCCR was observed in the liver tissues of Labeo rohita exposed to the pesticides, when compared to the control fish (2.460 mU/mg protein). Increase of NCCR activity was more in the liver of the fish exposed to monocrotophos (4.595 mU/mg protein) than those exposed to endosulfan (2.850 mU/mg protein). The results demonstrate that the pesticides, endosulfan and monocrotophos, interfere with NADPH dependent monoxygenase mechanism and are effective inducers of NADPH cytochrome C reductase. The activity of NCCR in the liver tissue of Labeo rohita may serve as a useful tool for monitoring aquatic pollution.

Topics: Animals; Body Size; Body Weight; Cyprinidae; Endosulfan; Insecticides; Liver; Monocrotophos; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase; Time Factors; Water Pollutants, Chemical

A novel phosphorothionate [2-butenoic acid-3-(diethoxy phosphinothioyl)-ethyl ester; RPR-V] synthesized at Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (Hyderabad, India) was studied using subchronic doses of 0.033 (low), 0.066 (medium), and 0.099 (high) mg kg(- 1) in male and female rats daily for 90 days. Continuous treatment with RPR-V caused significant (p < 0.05) decreases in body-weight gain, feed intake, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and total erythrocyte count (TEC), whereas total leukocyte count (TLC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were increased. Similarly, RPR-V caused significant elevation in serum clinical chemistry parameters calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, and chloride contents, whereas protein and glucose levels were depressed in both male and female treated rats after 45 and 90 days of treatment. These alterations were significant when compared with two-way ANOVA showing that these changes were dose- and time-dependent. The effects of low dose were generally not statistically significant, whereas medium and high doses caused significant effects. The changes in male rats were not significant when compared with female rats showing no sexual dimorphism by this compound. Recovery was observed after 28 days post-treatment (withdrawal study), indicating that the compound entered into the system was eliminated from the body, and the blood parameters were improved. Hematological and clinical chemistry parameters can be detected rapidly and hence can be used for prediction and diagnosis of pesticide toxicity. Alterations in these parameters show toxic stress in the treated animals especially on blood and blood-forming organs.

Topics: Animals; Blood; Blood Chemical Analysis; Body Weight; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eating; Erythrocytes; Female; Hematologic Tests; Hematopoiesis; Insecticides; Leukocytes; Male; Monocrotophos; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Weight Gain

Monocrotophos a organophosphate pesticide was administered orally at doses of 1.6, 3.3, 6.6, 10 and 13 mg/kg body weight/day to normal virgin Swiss albino mice for 30 days. The vaginal smear and body weight of the mice were recorded daily and mice were sacrificed on 31st day. The ovaries from each animal was serially sectioned and stained for follicular studies. Estrous cycle was affected by showing a significant decrease in the number of estrous cycle and duration of proestrus, estrus and metestrus with concomitant significant increase in the duration of diestrus in all the treated groups, except with 1.6 mg/kg body weight/day monocrotophos treated group. There were significant decrease in the small, medium, large and total number of healthy follicles and increase in the medium, large and total number of atretic follicles with 6.6, 10 and 13 mg/kg body weight/day monocrotophos treatment. However, there were no significant change in the number of healthy and atretic follicles with 1.6 and 3.3 mg/kg/bodyweight/day monocrotophos treatment. There was no change organs weight except for a significant decrease in weight of the ovary with 3.3, 6.6, 10 and 13 mg/kg body weight/day and uterus and body weight with 10 and 13 mg/kg body weight/day monocrotophos treatment. Interruption in estrous cycle, decrease in healthy follicles and increase in atretic follicles may be due to harmonal imbalance or toxic effects of monocrotophos, which adversely effects reproductive function, as it has also analgesic and sedative action.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Estrous Cycle; Female; Insecticides; Mice; Monocrotophos; Organ Size; Ovarian Follicle; Ovary; Reference Values

Acute and sub-acute toxic effects of a novel phosphorothionate coded as RPR-II on testis of albino rats were studied. In acute study rats received a single dose of 12.3 mg/kg of RPR-II and sacrificed after 24 hr. For sub-acute study 0.58 mg/kg/day was administered orally to rats for 10 and 21 days. Acute exposure of rats to RPR-II brought no change either in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) or in the structure of testis or in the serum levels of testosterone. Testis glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was significantly decreased whereas, acid phosphatase (AcP) levels increased significantly at 24 hr post-treatment. On 7th day (withdrawal period) after the cessation of the treatment the GSH, GST, AcP, and AkP levels reached to near control. The sub-acute study revealed a significant decrease in GSI on 10th and 21st day of the treatment. In contrast, a time-dependent and significant increased in GSH level and GST activity was observed on 100th and 21st day of post-treatment, except GSH level on 10th day, which was declined. Due to RPR-II treatment the testis AcP and alkaline phosphatase (AkP) levels were significant at both 10th and 21st day of medication but AcP levels were increased whereas AkP levels decreased. The histopathological studies on day 10th showed considerable loss of spermatozoids in testis and at 21st day complete derangement of cellular organization was observed. Testosterone levels decreased significantly on 10th day and remained significantly low at 21st day. However, withdrawal studies showed a recovery in testis of rat treated with RPR-II. GST, GSH, GSI, AcP and AkP values recovered, testosterone levels were also well recovered but recovery in testis structure remained at a low profile. The present study suggests that RPR-II may cause testicular toxicity in rats affecting the normal functioning of testis and it also gave some new information in withdrawal studies.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Body Weight; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase; Insecticides; Male; Models, Chemical; Monocrotophos; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sulfhydryl Compounds; Testis; Testosterone; Time Factors

Pairs of 1st-year breeding bobwhites were fed constant or decreasing concentrations of monocrotophos for 15 days. In addition, a control diet was used in a pair-fed group matched with the pairs in the constant group. Dietary concentrations for the constant group were logarithmically spaced at .100, .178, .316, .562, 1.000 ppm of actual insecticide and also at 0 ppm (control) for five pairs at each concentration. The beginning concentrations for (control) for five pairs at each concentration. The beginning concentrations for the decreasing pairs were identical to the constant group but regularly decreased to reach 25% of the starting concentrations by Day 13. Food consumption, egg production, hatchability of eggs under artificial incubation, and survival of hatched chicks for 2 weeks were recorded pairwise during 15-day treatment and 14-day posttreatment periods. Mortality was high at the greatest constant concentration and in the associated pair-fed group. Food consumption and egg production rates were negatively dose-related during the treatment period in the constant and decreasing groups. The laying rate of pair-fed hens was reduced to the same extent as in the constant group. Reproductive inhibition was not permanent, and pairs resumed laying after a dose-related recovery interval. No dose-related effects on hatchability or chick survival were detected. There was no evidence of a pesticide effect on reproduction other than that exerted through pesticide-induced anorexia.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Insecticides; Male; Monocrotophos; Oviposition; Quail; Reproduction

The effects of multiple intraperitoneal doses of Nuvacron (0.8 mg/kg) or Furadan (0.25 mg/kg) on hematological values in mice were studied. The following were measured: clotting time, hemoglobin content, total count of red blood cells and white blood cells, differential count of white blood cells, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hematocrit value, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, bone marrow and splenic measurements. These pesticides caused a significant decrease in hemoglobin content, total count of red blood cells, platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hematocrit value. The administration of Nuvacron or Furadan prolonged the clotting time and caused an increase in total count of white blood cells. Among white blood cells, there was an increase in neutrophils and basophils and a fall in the count of lymphocytes in treated animals. Bone marrow depression and splenic hyperplasia were observed in mice after administration of the pesticides.

Topics: Animals; Blood; Blood Cell Count; Blood Coagulation; Body Weight; Bone Marrow Cells; Carbofuran; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins; Insecticides; Male; Mice; Monocrotophos; Spleen

Azodrin was applied to adult embryo chickens, Chukar Partridge, and Bobwhite Quail. Chronic exposure of adult birds to Azodrin mixed in their feed indicated that no a priori predictions could be made about one species based on the results of another; each had a different no effect (MACT) level. The chickens were between 25 and 100 ppm, the Chukar Partridge 5 and 25 ppm, and the Bobwhite quail less than 1.25 ppm. The chicken adults were most resistant, and the quail were least resistant to chronic exposure to Azodrin. Yolk-injected Azodrin caused the embryos of all three species to develop abnormally. The chicken and Chukar embryos developed a generalized achondroplasia, the quail were amuscular, only. In general, the 3 day quail embryos were most resistant to injected Azodrin and the chicken embryo least resistant. The relationship between adult and embryo response was negative.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Female; Fertility; Humans; Insecticides; Monocrotophos; Quail; Species Specificity