Toxicity and pathological effects of orally and intraperitoneally administered ivermectin on sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

• Published in: Diseases of aquatic organisms 2002-11, Vol.52 (1), p.69-76
• Main Authors: Athanassopoulo, F, Ragias, V, Roth, M, Liberis, N, Hatzinikolaou, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents - administration & dosage; Antiparasitic Agents - toxicity; Bass - physiology; Dicentrarchus labrax; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gills - drug effects; Gills - metabolism; Gills - pathology; Injections, Intraperitoneal - veterinary; Intestines - drug effects; Intestines - pathology; Intubation, Gastrointestinal - veterinary; Ivermectin - administration & dosage; Ivermectin - toxicity; Kidney - drug effects; Kidney - metabolism; Kidney - pathology; Lethal Dose 50; Mortality; Temperature; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 0177-5103; 1616-1580
• DOI: 10.3354/dao052069

The toxicity and histopathology of ivermectin was studied in 3 and 35 g sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. following in-feed, oral intubation and injection administration at dose rates ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 mg kg(-1). Estimated LD50 values for 3 g fish were 0.335 and 0.106 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration respectively, for fish reared at 11 degrees C; and 0.839 and 1.023 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration, respectively for fish reared at 20 degrees C. For 35 g fish reared at 11 degrees C, the estimated LD50 was 0.523 and 0.361 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration respectively. No signs of toxicity were observed when the compound was administered via the feed at 0.5 and 0.7 mg kg(-1). However, toxicity (> 10%) was observed at dose rates of 0.2 mg kg(-1) and higher when the compound was administered via oral intubation and at 0.5 mg kg(-1) when administered via injection. The compound was significantly more toxic to fish reared at 11 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. Further, ivermectin was more toxic to 3 g than to 35 g sea bass when administered via injection. Histopathological examination of the major organs revealed pathology was largely restricted to gills and intestinal tissue. In 3 g sea bass, lesions were also found in the kidneys.