Reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of maternal exposure to dinotefuran in the F₁-generation mice

<p>Background: Few studies were found for the neurobehavioral toxicity of dinotefuran in mammals. This study was designed to evaluate the reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of maternal exposure to dinotefuran in mice.</p><p>Methods: Dinotefuran was given in the diet at levels of 0% (control), 0.012%, 0.03%, and 0.075% during the gestation and lactation periods. Selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured in the F₁ generation.</p><p>Results: The average body weight of male and female offspring increased in treatment groups at postnatal day (PND) 21. The time of olfactory orientation on PND 14 was accelerated in male offspring of higher-dose groups. In female offspring, cliff avoidance on PND 7 was declined in a dose-related trend. The route of olfactory orientation on PND 14 was declined in the higher-dose groups. For exploratory behavior of the F₁ generation, the frequencies of mice with urination increased in a dose-related trend in male offspring. In female offspring, the related variables of rearing increased in dose-related manners. The average rearing time lengthened and the number of defecations increased in the high-dose group in adult males. In adult females, the rearing time shortened in the high-dose group. Several variables differed in the high-dose group for spontaneous behavior in adult females.</p><p>Conclusions: The dose levels of dinotefuran produced several adverse effects in neurobehavioral parameters in mice. However, it appears unlikely that dietary intake levels of dinotefuran produce neurobehavioral effects in humans.</p>