title: Effects of perinatal ivermectin exposure on behavioral development of rats.
abstract: The antiparasitic agent ivermectin was administered to pregnant rats from days 6 to 20 of gestation and 2 to 20 of lactation at 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg/day. Reproductive performance and behavior of offspring in the preweaning period were observed. Ivermectin had no effect on reproductive performance and dams' growth. The highest dose induced 100% pup mortality. Later on, ivermectin at 4 mg/kg was administered only during gestation. At that dose, the drug induced 22% mortality and affected temporarily cliff avoidance, locomotion, negative geotaxis and swimming development. At 2 mg/kg, the drug induced offspring mortality (31%), retarded growth and delayed eye opening, cliff avoidance and surface righting reflex, negative geotaxis, locomotion and swimming development. Ivermectin at 1 mg/kg had no effect on mortality and growth but cliff avoidance and locomotion were retarded. Data suggest that newborn rats were highly susceptible to the neurotoxic action of ivermectin. Whether its effects were prenatal or by acute intoxication via mother's milk are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire National des Médicaments Vétérinaires, Fougères, France.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Poul
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012744:Sex Ratio / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007559:Ivermectin