Reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of dinotefuran in an F1‐generation toxicity study in mice

Abstract Background Few studies were found for neurobehavioral toxicity of dinotefuran in mammals. This study was designed to evaluate the reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of dinotefuran exposure in mice. Methods Dinotefuran was given in the diet to provide levels of 0% (control), 0.015%, 0.03%, and 0.06% from 5 weeks of age of the F 0 generation to 11 weeks of age of the F 1 generation in mice. Selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured. Results Movement time increased with a significant dose‐related trend, and the related variables of rearing time decreased in significant dose‐related trends in adult males in the F 0 generation. Litter size and weight increased in significant dose‐related trends, and sex ratio decreased in a significant dose‐related trend. The average body weight of offspring increased in a significant dose‐related trend on postnatal day (PND) 21 in both sexes. In the olfactory orientation on PND 14 in female offspring, the time required lengthened in a significant dose‐related trend. In male offspring, total distance and the average speed decreased in significant dose‐related trends, and the average time of rearing, number of defecations, and frequencies of mice with urination increased in a significant dose‐related trend. In female offspring, the related variables of rearing increased in significant dose‐related trends. In spontaneous behavior of males, the parallel lines during the control and treatment groups indicated a significant distance in the number of horizontal activities. Conclusions The dose levels of dinotefuran in the present study produced several adverse effects on reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters in mice.