Effect of imidacloprid on antioxidant status and histopathological changes in ovary and uterus of adult female Wistar rats.

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide and has been extensively used as a crop pest and in pet flea control programme. In the present study, the effects of imidacloprid on ovary and uteri tissue was analyzed in adult female Wistar rats at two dose levels (19 and 38 mg/kg/day) administered orally for 10, 20 and 30 days. Effects were compared with respective control animals administered daily with 2% gum acacia. Parameters undertaken were organ weight, levels of cytoplasmic and membrane proteins, oxidative stress parameters viz. activities of SOD, GPx and levels of GSH and MDA and histopathological changes. IMI (38 mg/kg, 30 days) reduced cytoplamic proteins in both ovaries and uteri whereas this dose reduced membrane protein in ovaries only. IMI (38 mg/kg, 20 and 30 days) decreased SOD enzyme in both ovaries and uteri and GSH-Px levels in ovaries only. The GSH-Px levels were also seen with decreased levels in uteri with IMI (38 mg/kg) for 30 days. IMI (38 mg/kg, 20 and 30 days) induces degenerative changes in ovaries of rats. Hence, it is concluded from the present studies that administration of higher doses (38 mg/kg/day) of IMI for 20 and 30 days generated oxidative stress in ovaries and uteri of female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]