Toxicological studies of deltamethrin.

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Insecticide Research

Background:

• Deltamethrin is a highly potent pyrethroid insecticide.
• It is also recognized for its significant toxicity to vertebrate species.
• Understanding its toxicological profile is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the toxicity of deltamethrin in various animal models.
• To determine the influence of administration route and solvent on deltamethrin's toxicity.
• To characterize the toxicological effects and symptoms associated with deltamethrin exposure.

Main Methods:

• Toxicity studies were conducted on mice, rats, and anesthetized dogs.
• Administration routes included oral and intravenous.
• Different solvents (gum arabic, glycerol formal, oil, organic solvent) were utilized.

Main Results:

• Oral LD50 in male mice was 5.54 g/kg, and in female mice was 3.45 g/kg.
• High oral doses in rats and dogs showed no mortality or intoxication signs.
• Intravenous LD50 in anesthetized dogs was as low as 3.44 mg/kg.
• Oral toxicity was 100 times lower when suspended in gum arabic compared to oil or organic solvents.
• Consistent poisoning symptoms (salivation, ataxia, convulsions) were observed across species, sex, and administration routes.
• No cellular alterations were detected via optical microscopy.

Conclusions:

• Deltamethrin's vertebrate toxicity is highly dependent on administration route and solvent.
• Oral administration, especially in gum arabic suspension, significantly reduces acute toxicity.
• Intravenous administration poses a much higher risk.
• Observed symptoms are consistent, and no underlying cellular damage was found, suggesting a neurotoxic mechanism.