Abstract

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) was tested for feto-neuro-histopathological manifestations on fetal central nervous system (CNS) in mice at 3 maternally sub-toxic oral doses - 0, 9 and 18 mg/kg. Each dose group was further categorized as: single (gestation day (GD) 6) and triple exposures (9, and 12 respectively). Fetuses were exteriorized on GD18. No obvious signs of toxicity were seen in the dams at these exposures. Mean fetal weight showed a dose (9 and 18 mg/kg) and exposure (single and triple) dependent decrease compared to that of the 0 mg/kg group while the litter size remained unaffected. The neurohistopathological abnormalities include vacuolations of the medullary region along with cortical lesions in CNS in 9 and 18 mg/kg groups on triple exposure only. These neurohistopathological manifestations were considered as the indicatives of neuroglial cells necrosis apoptosis. Our findings suggest that gestational exposure of CPF at motherly safe dose levels in mice induce neuroglial cells apoptosis in fetal CNS.  

Key words: Chlorpyrifos, neuroteratology, neurotoxicity, neurohistopathology.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: CPF, Chlorpyrifos; CNS, central nervous system; GD, gestation day.