Reproductive and Neurobehavioral Effects of Ethiprole Administered to Mice in the Diet.

BACKGROUND: Few studies were found for neurobehavioral toxicity of the phenylpyrazole insecticide ethiprole in mammals. This study was designed to evaluate the reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of ethiprole exposure in mice.

METHODS: Ethiprole was given in the diet to provide levels of 0 (control), 0.0003, 0.0009, and 0.0027% from 5 weeks of age of the F0 generation to 11 weeks of age of the F1 generation in mice. Selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured.

RESULTS: Movement time increased with a significant dose-related trend, and frequencies of mice with urination increased in the high-dose group of adult males in the F0 generation. The average body weight of male and female offspring increased significantly in treatment groups at postnatal days (PNDs) 7, 14, and 21. Surface righting on PND 7 of male offspring was accelerated in a significant dose-related trend. In female offspring, olfactory orientation on PND 14 was accelerated significantly on the route of higher-dose groups, and time of all treatment groups. Total distance, movement time, average speed, and average time of movement significantly decreased, and frequencies of mice with urination increased in a significant dose-related trend in male offspring in the F1 generation. Longitudinal patterns of spontaneous behavior differed in the number of horizontal activities, movement time, and average speed in treatment groups in males. The number of horizontal activities of females decreased in a significant dose-related trend through 120 min.

CONCLUSION: The dose levels of ethiprole in the present study produced several adverse effects in neurobehavioral parameters in mice. Birth Defects Research 109:1568-1585, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.