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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of dinotefuran in an F1 -generation toxicity study in mice
Toyohito Tanaka1, Jin Suzuki1, Akiko Inomata2
1Division of Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
Few studies were found for neurobehavioral toxicity of dinotefuran in mammals. This study was designed to evaluate the reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of dinotefuran exposure in mice.
Methods:
Dinotefuran was given in the diet to provide levels of 0% (control), 0.015%, 0.03%, and 0.06% from 5 weeks of age of the F0 generation to 11 weeks of age of the F1 generation in mice. Selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured.
Results:
Movement time increased with a significant dose-related trend, and the related variables of rearing time decreased in significant dose-related trends in adult males in the F0 generation. Litter size and weight increased in significant dose-related trends, and sex ratio decreased in a significant dose-related trend. The average body weight of offspring increased in a significant dose-related trend on postnatal day (PND) 21 in both sexes. In the olfactory orientation on PND 14 in female offspring, the time required lengthened in a significant dose-related trend. In male offspring, total distance and the average speed decreased in significant dose-related trends, and the average time of rearing, number of defecations, and frequencies of mice with urination increased in a significant dose-related trend. In female offspring, the related variables of rearing increased in significant dose-related trends. In spontaneous behavior of males, the parallel lines during the control and treatment groups indicated a significant distance in the number of horizontal activities.
Conclusions:
The dose levels of dinotefuran in the present study produced several adverse effects on reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters in mice.
Insights
Dinotefuran exposure in mice showed adverse effects on reproduction and neurobehavior. This study investigated these impacts, finding dose-dependent changes in behavior and offspring development.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Mammalian reproductive toxicology
- Neurobehavioral toxicology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the neurobehavioral toxicity of dinotefuran in mammals.
- This study addresses the need for comprehensive evaluation of dinotefuran's effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reproductive toxicity of dinotefuran in mice.
- To evaluate the neurobehavioral effects of dinotefuran exposure across generations.
Main Methods:
- Dinotefuran was administered to mice (F0 generation) via diet at concentrations of 0%, 0.015%, 0.03%, and 0.06%.
- Exposure continued from 5 weeks of age (F0) to 11 weeks of age (F1).
- Key reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were systematically measured.
Main Results:
- Significant dose-related trends in altered movement time, rearing, litter size, litter weight, and sex ratio were observed in adult males.
- Offspring exhibited increased average body weight and altered olfactory orientation (females) and spontaneous behavior (males).
- Neurobehavioral assessments revealed significant changes in locomotion, rearing, defecation, and urination in both male and female offspring.
Conclusions:
- Dinotefuran exposure at the tested doses induced several adverse effects.
- These effects were observed in both reproductive parameters and neurobehavioral functions in mice.
- The findings highlight potential risks associated with dinotefuran exposure.
