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The chronic exposure to abamectin causes spatial memory deficit and depressive behavior in mice
Wellington Alves Mizael da Silva1, Abraão Tiago Batista Guimarães1, Mateus Flores Montalvão1
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado and Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, GO, Brazil.
Chemosphere
|December 15, 2017
Summary
Abamectin (ABA) biopesticide exposure caused memory deficits and depressive behaviors in mice, confirming its neurotoxic potential in mammals. This study highlights risks to terrestrial animals from ABA.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Neuroscience
- Mammalian toxicology
Background:
- Abamectin (ABA) is a widely used biopesticide with known aquatic impacts.
- Mammalian neurobehavioral effects of chronic ABA exposure are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical and neural-behavioral effects of chronic ABA exposure in mice.
- To assess impacts on spatial memory and depressive behavior.
Main Methods:
- Chronic exposure (90 days) of Swiss and C57Bl/6J mice to ABA (1/10 LD50).
- Behavioral tests included Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT), Morris Water Maze (MWM), Tail Suspension Test (TST), and Forced Swimming Test (FST).
Main Results:
- ABA exposure impaired spatial memory in the MWM, indicated by longer latency and less time in the target quadrant.
- Swiss mice exhibited depressive behavior in the FST, suggesting strain-specific effects.
- No significant differences were observed in NORT or TST immobility time.
Conclusions:
- Abamectin demonstrates neurotoxic potential, causing memory deficits and depressive behaviors in mammalian models.
- Findings highlight potential risks of ABA to terrestrial animals, necessitating further investigation into its long-term effects.
