In this study, several fundamental questions concerning the ability of abamectin (Avermectin B
1) and its degradates to induce chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells and spermhead abnormalities in male Swiss albino mice were addressed. Male mice were injected intraperitoneally with two doses of abamectin (i.e. 1/10 and 1/30 LD
50, 1.0 and 3.0μg/g body weight,
respectively). One, two, five, and eight days after treatment, males were sacrified and bone marrow cells slides were prepared for chromosomal studies. Also, after one, three, five, and eight weeks of treatment; other males were sacrificed and sperm suspension slides were prepared for spermhead abnormalities' counting. Abamectin induced clastogenic type of chromosomal aberrations which significantly decreased by the days following treatment until reached the least after 8 days of treatment. Also, abamectin was found to induce physiological type of aberrations. At the same time, abamectin treatment resulted in high frequency of spermhead abnormalities after one week of injection, which represents the epididymal sperm stage of the animal spermatogenesis. It was found that abamectin which had been degradated for 1-3 days induced significant increase in the percentage of clastogenic metaphases; whereas insignificant effect was observed after 4-6 days.
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