Effects of imidacloprid and gestational age on biodistribution and maternal toxicity in pregnant mice compared to non- pregnant

Abstract EN

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a systemic insecticide belonging to a class of chemicals called the neonicotinoids which act on the central nervous system of insects.

It was the most widely used insecticide in the world.

However, currently there are limited information regarding the impact of pregnancy on their biodistribution and toxicity.

In this study, the biodistribution and potential toxic effects of IMI in pregnant and non–pregnant mice at different critical gestational ages (Gds 8, 10, 12, and 14) administrated one day treatment of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg/d IMI by gavage were determined.

Also, the effects of IMI on the biodistribution were recorded on pregnant mice administrated repeated doses of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg/d IMI on different critical gestational days (6- 15, 8- 15, 10- 15, 12- 15, and 14- 15) compared to non- pregnant at the corresponding age.

No significant biodistribution changes were observed between non-pregnant and pregnant mice treated on 8, 10, 12, and 14 Gds on all the treated groups of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg.

Apparent toxic effects (e.

g.

, signs of toxicity, reduction in body weights and weight gains at all difference gestational days) were observed by repeated dose of 20mg/kg comparable to controls and non-pregnant.

Also, there was a positive relationship between the accumulation of IMI at different gestational ages and maternal toxic effects.

These results indicated that the maternal biodistribution patterns of IMI in pregnant mice dependent on dose, exposure length, and gestational ages.