IMIDACLOPRID INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN FEMALE ALBINO RATS.

Imidacloprid a systemic neonicotinoid, mainly used for controlling insects and pests in agricultural sector. Two doses of imidacloprid (10 and 20 mg/ kg/ day) were selected based on LD₅₀ and given through oral intubation to female rats for 60 days. Disturbed cyclicity with significant (P<0.05) decrease in the number of estrous cycle days and increased diestrous index was observed at high dose. Serial sections of ovary were studied for atretic follicles in imidacloprid treated rats. Number of healthy follicles was significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increased number of atretic follicles at high dose of imidacloprid. The histopathology of ovary also revealed more atretic follicles at high dose of imidacloprid. Decreased body weight and ovary weight in imidacloprid treated rats was dose dependent. Based on the observed effects, it can be concluded that imidacloprid produced more significant effects on female reproduction at high dose (20 mg/ kgbw/ day) as compared to low dose (10 mg/ kgbw/ day). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]