Acute Oral Toxicity of Dimethoate in Albino Rats Fed a Protein-Deficient Diet

Abstract

The oral LD50 ± SE of dimethoate was found to be 147 ± 29 mg./kg., 152 ± 22 mg./kg., and 358 ± 9 mg./kg., respectively, in male albino rats fed for 28 days from weaning on a diet containing: (a) 3.5% protein as casein, (b) normal amounts of protein as casein, and (c) normal amounts of protein as laboratory chow. The toxic syndrome at the range of the LD50 was similar in animals of all three dietary groups and consisted of signs of cholinergic stimulation, depression of the central nervous system, anorexia, hypothermia, aciduria, proteinuria, an irritant gastroenteritis, widespread vascular congestion, toxic degenerative changes, dehydration, and loss of weight in body organs.