Pyrethroid Based Mosquito Repellent Inhalation Induced Changes in Physical Activity in Albino Rats after Chronic Exposure

Abstract

Introduction: The liquid vaporizers are very commonly used as residential insecticides in developing countries. Neurotoxic effects of pyrethroids have been reported earlier but study regarding its direct effect on physical activity of albino rats are scanty. So the present study was planned to assess and compare the effects of long term prallethrin (a Pyrethroid) exposure on albino rats. Method: Twenty albino rats were divided into two groups of control and experimental. Rats in experimental group were exposed to 3.2% w/v prallethrin vapours 12 hours daily for 180 days. Control animals were kept under identical conditions without exposure to said repellent. The albino rats in experimental group were subjected to Spontaneous Motor Activity, Forced Locomotor Activity and Swimming endurance test to record their physical activity. Result: Significant changes in Spontaneous Motor Activity, Forced Locomotor Activity and Swimming Endurance Test were not recorded in prallethrin exposed rats as compared to control ones throughout the study. Conclusion: Lack of changes in the behavioural parameters as seen in our study may be due to difference in the route adopted and perhaps due to limited duration of exposure and high degree of adaptability of the animal to adverse insults.