Abstract
The described neurological symptoms associated with pesticide exposure include memory and concentration problems. Most experimental studies of the association between dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and neurotoxicity have focused on brain development, and few have been conducted in adult animals. The aim of this study was to assess whether chronic oral or inhalation exposure to 2,4-D affects object recognition memory in adult rats. Forty albino Wistar rats were used and distributed into 4 groups (n = 10): I: animals nebulized with distilled water; O: animals receiving feed treated with nebulized distilled water; DI: animals nebulized with 9.28 x 10-3 grams of active ingredient per hectare (g.a.i./ha) of 2,4-D; and DO: animals receiving feed treated with 9.28 x 10-3 g.a.i./ha of nebulized 2,4-D. The animals were exposed for 6 months. To assess recognition memory, the object recognition test was used. Compared to control animals, animals exposed to 2,4-D spent less time exploring objects (p <0.05) and obtained an object recognition index score of -1. Route of exposure to 2,4-D had an effect only on the time spent exploring objects, which was shorter in animals exposed orally. Chronic exposure to a high concentration of 2,4-D alters the ability of adult animals to recognize objects.
Highlights
The herbicide dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), belonging to the class of phenoxyacetic acids, was developed in 1941 during the Second World War and has been commercially used in the United States since 1947
Human exposure to the herbicide 2,4-D has been associated with several harmful health effects, with 2,4-D exhibiting oncogenicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity and neurotoxicity and acting as an endocrine disruptor (Garabrant & Philbert, 2002; Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED), 2005)
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether chronic exposure to 2,4-D orally or via inhalation at a concentration corresponding to a common concentration of environmental exposure for humans affects object recognition memory in rats
Summary
The herbicide dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), belonging to the class of phenoxyacetic acids, was developed in 1941 during the Second World War and has been commercially used in the United States since 1947. It was the first selective herbicide used in the cultivation of soybean, corn, wheat, sugarcane, pastures and rice to prevent and combat certain pests (Song, 2014). In cases of oral exposure, depending on the formulation, symptoms are similar to those of exposure to some central nervous system depressants, such as aromatic chlorinated hydrocarbons, sedative drugs or alcohol (RED, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
