title: Toxicity and pathological effects of orally and intraperitoneally administered ivermectin on sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax.
abstract: The toxicity and histopathology of ivermectin was studied in 3 and 35 g sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. following in-feed, oral intubation and injection administration at dose rates ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 mg kg(-1). Estimated LD50 values for 3 g fish were 0.335 and 0.106 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration respectively, for fish reared at 11 degrees C; and 0.839 and 1.023 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration, respectively for fish reared at 20 degrees C. For 35 g fish reared at 11 degrees C, the estimated LD50 was 0.523 and 0.361 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration respectively. No signs of toxicity were observed when the compound was administered via the feed at 0.5 and 0.7 mg kg(-1). However, toxicity (> 10%) was observed at dose rates of 0.2 mg kg(-1) and higher when the compound was administered via oral intubation and at 0.5 mg kg(-1) when administered via injection. The compound was significantly more toxic to fish reared at 11 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. Further, ivermectin was more toxic to 3 g than to 35 g sea bass when administered via injection. Histopathological examination of the major organs revealed pathology was largely restricted to gills and intestinal tissue. In 3 g sea bass, lesions were also found in the kidneys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fish Diseases and Aquaculture, Athens Veterinary Research Center, National Agricultural Research Foundation, 25 Neapoleos Street, Agia Paraskevi, Athens 15341, Greece. eathan@vet.uth.gr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Athanassopoulo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ragias
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Liberis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatzinikolaou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D001492:Bass / Q000502:physiology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005880:Gills / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal / Q000662:veterinary; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000662:veterinary; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D009026:Mortality; D013696:Temperature; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D007559:Ivermectin