Hepatic and Renal Toxicity of Dimethoate in Male Domestic Rabbit

Abstract

Objective: The present study is aimed to investigate hepatic and renal toxicity of dimethoate in male rabbit. Materials and Methods: The oral LD50 of dimethoate in the male domestic rabbits was calculated from logarithmic scale and found to be 432 mg/kg body weight. A dose of 1/10 LD50 (43.2 mg/kg body weight) dimethoate was then used to test its toxicity. The experimental group were given orally the dose of 1/10 LD50 dimethoate daily for six weeks. Control animals were given distilled water. Results: The overall mortality rate was 11.1% in dimethoate-treated rabbits compared to 2.1% in controls. Clinical signs included disorientation, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements, mild tremor and diarrhea. Final body weight was significantly decreased in dimethoate-intoxicated rabbits. Serum glucose was significantly increased in dimethoate-fed rabbits recording a maximum percentage difference of 26.3% in the 4th week of the experiment compared to controls. The activities of serum ALT, AST, g-GT and ALP were significantly higher in dimethoate-treated rabbits registering maximum percentage differences of 27.8, 35.9, 24.4 and 31.7% during 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 3rd weeks of the experiment, respectively. In contrast, serum cholinesterase was markedly decreased showing a maximum percentage difference of 50.1% during the 5th week of the experiment. Serum bilirubin was gradually increased exhibiting a maximum percentage difference of 16.7% at the 5th week of the experiment. Serum urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly elevated in response to dimethoate administration displaying maximum percentage differences of 31.3 and 26.2% during the 6th and 4th weeks of the experiment, respectively. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly decreased upon dimethoate intake recording percentage differences of 28.0, 26.9 and 26.5 at the 4th, 6th and 3rd weeks of experiment, respectively. Serum calcium was significantly increased in dimethoate-exposed rabbits showing a maximum percentage difference of 18.8% in the 4th week whereas serum phosphorus was significantly decreased showing a maximum percentage of 16.1% at 2nd week of the experiment. Conclusions: Daily oral administration of 1/10 LD50 dimethoate caused significance decrease in the body weight, serum Cholinesterase, total protein, albumine, globulin and phosphorus, whereas serum ALT, AST, ALP, g-GT, urea, creatinine and calcium were significantly increased.