Effects of Dimethoate Exposure on Locomotor Activity and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Female Wistar Rat

Abstract

Developmental exposure to organophosphate insecticide is well known to induce neurobehavioral impairments, at late period. The present study aims to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to Dimethoate, on locomotors skills and anxiety like behavior among wistar rat. Two groups of female's rats are used. The intoxicated group receives daily, during five weeks, by intragastric gavage, a dose of Dimethoate dissolved in corn oil (100 mg/kg body weight). The control group receives only the corn oil. Spontaneous locomotors activity is evaluated using the Open Field test (OF) and anxiety-like behavior is measured using Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM). Dimethoate induced significant impairment of spontaneous locomotors activities, which is reflected by high decrease of number of squares crossed (SC) in OF. Females exposed to Dimethoate develop further anxiety-like response, expressed by significant reductions of the time spent in open arm of Elevated Plus-Maze.

Gestational Exposure to Cadmium and Dimethoate Mixture Modifies Fetal Programming in Rats During Development

“…Thus, human exposure to it can result from environmental, occupational, or accidental exposure [9]. Similarly to Cd, various studies have suggested that exposure to organophosphate insecticides, including DM, are associated with increased anxiety [10] and damage of motor activity and performance [11]. Interestingly, these effects are associated with inhibition of the AChE enzyme since organophosphate insecticides are classic inhibitors of this enzyme [12] although other environmental agents, such as Cd for example, also inhibit their activity [13].…”