Behavioral effects of acute exposure to the insecticide fipronil

The effects of fipronil (Frontline® Top Spot) were investigated in 40 days old rats utilizing open field (OF), hole-board (HB) and elevated plus-maze (EPM) apparatus. Rats (N = 15) received topical application of fipronil (70, 140 and 280 mg/kg) in the neck region and behavior was tested 3 h after a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pesticide biochemistry and physiology 2011-03, Vol.99 (3), p.221-225
Main Authors: Tercariol, Paula Raquel Galbiati, Godinho, Antonio Francisco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
acute effects
acute exposure
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
corn oil
dermal exposure
Elevated plus-maze
Emotions
Exploratory behavior
Fear
fearfulness
fipronil
Fipronil insecticide
freezing
gamma -Aminobutyric acid receptors
Grooming
Hole-board
humans
Insecticides
Neck
Nervous system
Neurotoxicity
Open-field
Pesticides
pirazole
Rat
rats
rearing
Skin
Tonic immobility
Topical application
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Summary:The effects of fipronil (Frontline® Top Spot) were investigated in 40 days old rats utilizing open field (OF), hole-board (HB) and elevated plus-maze (EPM) apparatus. Rats (N = 15) received topical application of fipronil (70, 140 and 280 mg/kg) in the neck region and behavior was tested 3 h after administration. Animals treated with corn oil (vehicle) were used as controls. In the OF test animals treated with fipronil at 140 mg/kg showed increased rearing, whereas animals exposed to 280 mg/kg showed increased freezing, grooming, and rearing. In the HB test fipronil at 280 mg/kg increased head-dip and head-dipping behaviors. In the EPM test the only observed effect was increased number of entries in both open and closed EPM arms in animals treated with 280 mg/kg. In conclusion, dermal exposure to fipronil causes effects related to emotionality, fear, and exploratory activity; results add strength to the growing concern that pirazole insecticides can be neurotoxic to humans.
ISSN:0048-3575
1095-9939
DOI:10.1016/j.pestbp.2010.12.007