Effects of Dichlorvos on pregnancy outcomes in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Dichlorvos is an organophosphate widely used as an insecticide. This study determines the effect of dichlorvos on pregnancy in Wistar rats. Forty-two bred female rats were divided into 7 groups (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) comprising of 6 rats each. Rats in 3 groups received 4.45mg/kg in the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd trimester of pregnancy, respectively. The other 3 groups received 8.9mg/kg in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd trimester, respectively. The dam to pups’ ratio decreased as the dose of dichlorvos increased except in the third trimester. The percentage birth weight of the treated groups was not different from the control except at third trimester when there was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the 8.9mg/kg groups. There were no significant (p>0.05) differences in the crown-rump and gestation length within the groups and trimesters except in the third trimester where there was a significant difference (p<0.05)  between 8.9mg/kg group and others. The study shows that dichlorvos is capable of altering pregnancy outcomes in female Wistar rats.