Alterations in key enzymes and micromorphology of vital organs during exposure of imidacloprid in albino rats

The effect of oral administration of two doses of imidacloprid 10mg/kg/day and 20 mg/kg/day (corresponding to 1/45th and 1/22th LD50 of imidacloprid) on alterations in biochemical milieu and histopathology of female albino rats of two generations was assessed. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of imidacloprid on the female wistar rats that were treated through two generations (F0 and F1 generation). Average feed intake of F1 female rats was significantly reduced (P<0.01) at 20mg/kg/day dose of imidacloprid. At the end of experiment F1 rats were sacrificed, significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) enzyme activities were observed in higher dose treated groups of F1 females. There was significant decrease (P<0.05) in acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity in plasma and brain of higher dose treated groups. Tissue samples of liver, kidney and brain were subjected to histopathological examination. Based on the present physiological, biochemical and histological studies it is evident that imidacloprid did not produce any significant effects at 10 mg/kg/day dose but induced toxicological effects at 20 mg/kg/day to female rats.