Background: Fenpropathrin, a synthetic pyrethroid (Type I/II) is commonly used as an insecticide in homes and in agriculture. The present study was planned to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of Fenpropathrin in adult Wistar rats, both male and female. Statistically, LD50 is a first screening step to asses and evaluate the toxicity for a chemical that causes death of 50% population of test animals when given by a specified route as a single dose for a specific time period. Methods: The experimental rats were divided into 10 groups (5 of male and 5 of female rats) and ten rats were divided into each group. For each group of animals, a single oral dose of Fenpropathrin dissolved in corn oil was administered orally at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 mg/kg body weight (bw) concentrations. The animals were monitored up to 96 hours to assess the signs of toxicity and to calculate the LD50 as per the graphical method procedure suggested by Miller and Tainter (1944)10. Result: Estimated LD50 of Fenpropathrin was found to be 52.72±8.61mg/kg body weight in male rats and 48.08±8.13 mg/kg body weight in female rats. There were no toxic signs or behavioural changes in the single oral dose of Fenpropathrin at 10mg/kg body weight, thus it can be considered as No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL). Conclusion: It can beconcluded from the study that Fenpropathrin is highly toxic pyrethroid due to its low LD50 value in Wistar rats.The result of this study may serve as a basis for dose administration for further research on Fenpropathrin toxicity.
Keywords
