Reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of dinotefuran in an F1 -generation toxicity study in mice

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

Methods: Dinotefuran was given in the diet to provide levels of 0% (control), 0.015%, 0.03%, and 0.06% 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 the related variables of rearing time decreased in significant dose-related trends in adult males in the F₀ generation. Litter size and weight increased in significant dose-related trends, and sex ratio decreased in a significant dose-related trend. The average body weight of offspring increased in a significant dose-related trend on postnatal day (PND) 21 in both sexes. In the olfactory orientation on PND 14 in female offspring, the time required lengthened in a significant dose-related trend. In male offspring, total distance and the average speed decreased in significant dose-related trends, and the average time of rearing, number of defecations, and frequencies of mice with urination increased in a significant dose-related trend. In female offspring, the related variables of rearing increased in significant dose-related trends. In spontaneous behavior of males, the parallel lines during the control and treatment groups indicated a significant distance in the number of horizontal activities.

Conclusions: The dose levels of dinotefuran in the present study produced several adverse effects on reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters in mice.

behavioral development; dinotefuran; exploratory behavior; mice; movement activity; neonicotinoid insecticide; reproductive toxicity; spontaneous behavior.