Toxicity of calciferol,warfarin and their combinations to Rattus norvegicus (albino) and R. rattus

The response of Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus to calciferol, warfarin and a combination of these compounds was tested. Both species succumbed to the recommended bait concentrations of calciferol (1000 mg/kg) and warfarin (250 mg/kg) when tested individually. However, R. rattus was more susceptible to lower concentrations of calciferol (500 and 750 mg/kg) as compared to R. norvegicus, which was sensitive to lower concentrations of warfarin (12.5 and 25 mg/kg bait). Addition of calciferol at different concentrations did not affect the toxicity of warfarin against R. norvegicus. However, with R. rattus calciferol (250–350 mg/kg) or warfarin (50 mg/kg bait), which individually produced partial mortality, in combination produced a complete kill besides accelerating death. Combination of higher dosages of calciferol with warfarin (1000 + 250 mg/kg bait) tested against both species showed no advantages, resulting in neither lower bait consumption nor speedier death, though individually the components gave complete kills.     

Vitamin K requirement in Danish anticoagulant-resistant Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Resistance to warfarin has been connected to an increase in dietary requirement for vitamin K in British strains of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (Berk). This study examines vitamin K requirement of Danish anticoagulant-resistant Norway rats using a vitamin K deficient feeding test. Wild bromadiolone-resistant rats sampled from different localities in Denmark and rats from bromadiolone-resistant and susceptible laboratory strains were fed on a vitamin K deficient diet over a maximum period of 15 days. Development of vitamin K deficiency, measured as reduced blood-clotting capacity, took place in 43% of the Danish resistant rats and was independent of sex, treatment with supplementary vitamin K3 and sampling locality. Development of deficiency was slower for resistant rats that were supplemented with vitamin K3 prior to the feeding test, suggesting storage of the vitamin K in a vitamin body pool. Intraperitoneal administration of vitamin K1 revealed that 80 microg vitamin K1 kg(-1) bodyweight was sufficient to restore normal blood clotting activity in deficient rats, while 60 microg vitamin K1 kg(-1) bodyweight was insufficient. We conclude that vitamin K requirement is moderately increased in Danish homozygous resistant rats whereas heterozygous resistant rats only have a minor increase in vitamin K requirement compared with susceptible rats. We found no indication of different resistance types being present in our test material since vitamin K requirement was not different between rats from separate sampling localities.     

Rodenticide grain bait ingredient acceptance by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae)

Vertebrate pest control in California is often accomplished through the use of rodenticide grain baits. These grain baits are composed of steam-rolled oats (SRO), a toxicant, an indicator dye and an oil combination. A series of tests were performed to determine the effects of various dye and oil formulations on acceptance of grain bait by Norway rats [Rattus norvegicus (Berk)], California ground squirrels [Spermophilus beecheyi (Richardson)] and pocket gophers (Thomomys bottae Eyd & Gerv). Seven different dyes, four oil formulations and clean (untreated) oats were tested for acceptance. The addition of the selected oils and dyes to grain resulted in no significant differences in consumption. This indicates that there is a wide variety of dyes that could be used in the formulation of rodenticides. These alternatives could aid in proper pesticide use, the deterrence of bait consumption by birds and possibly in ingredient adhesion to the finished bait.     

Effects of vitamin E and selenium on tissue bio-element status in organophosphate toxicity of rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E (vit E), selenium (Se) and vit E + Se against organophosphate (OP) toxicity in tissues’ trace and major element levels and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities of rats. Trace and major element concentrations in the tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. Erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities were studied by using spectrophotometer. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase increased in the fenthion-treated groups (control) more than that of sham group subjects. Heart and pectoral muscle tissue Se and Zn concentrations in the control group were higher than sham group. However, jejunum, kidney, liver and pancreas Se and Zn concentrations in the control group were found to be lower than those in the sham group. The Mn concentrations in the all of the tissues were lower in the control group when compared with the sham group. Brain, heart, jejunum, kidney and pancreas Fe concentrations and heart, jejunum, liver, pectoral muscle and pancreas Cu concentrations were found to be lower in the control group. The treatment of vit E, Se and vit E + Se were increased bio-element levels in the many tissue. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate that the tissue trace and major element concentrations and enzymatic antioxidant system were significantly affected OP toxicity. Furthermore, we have shown an association between bio-elements and antioxidant enzymes in OP toxicity. In addition, administration of vit E, Se and vit E + Se might regulate some trace and major element levels in the many tissues.     

Revised methodology for a blood-clotting response test for identification of warfarin-resistant Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

A blood-clotting response test for warfarin resistance in Norway rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) was developed by our laboratory in the late 1970s, based on knowledge of biochemical mechanisms available at that time. That test used warfarin, its the free base which is not watersoluble, and vitamin K₁ 2,3-epoxide as an antidote for warfarin-resistant rats only. We have modified the above test to use a water-soluble salt of vitamin K₃ (1 mg kgg⁻¹ body weight), which is an antidote in a wider range of warfarin-resistant rat strains than vitamin K₁ 2,3- epoxide, and a water-soluble salt of warfarin (5.4 mg kg⁻¹ body weight). Sodium warfarin and vitamin K₃ are administered by oral gavage, and the blood-clotting response measured 24 h later. In a series of validation tests there were no significant differences between results obtained by either method. The new method, however, uses materials which are commercially available, and eliminates the possibility of misclassifying warfarin-resistant rats as susceptible because vitamin K₁ 2,3-epoxide was not an antidote in those strains. We also present evidence that measuring blood-clotting response to feeding on a vitamin K-free diet for 4 days is not a reliable method for determining the genotype of warfarin-resistant rats.     

The toxicity of dieldrin (HEOD) to domestic fowl

Domestic fowl were fed control diet or diets containing 10 or 20 μg/g HEOD. Eggs and samples of blood were collected at intervals and the concentration of HEOD was determined. The concentrations of HEOD in body tissues were also determined after 7 and 13 months. Some of the birds died, but the health of the remainder appeared to be unaffected. The hens of the 20 parts/million group showed an increased egg production, but chick mortality in this group was higher than in the other two groups. The dynamics of HEOD in domestic fowl were qualitatively similar to that in other vertebrates and was consistent with the mamillary type compartmental model.     

The toxicity of cyromazine to Chironomus zealandicus (chironomidae) and Deleatidium sp. (leptophlebiidae)

The toxicity of cyromazine and a commercial formulation, ‘Vetrazin’®, to Chironomus zealandicus (thummi) Hudson and Deleatidium sp. was investigated. Under acute test conditions, the LC₅₀ values for each species were quite comparable. For C. zealandicus, the value varied according to instar, 100–400 mg litre^?1 for second- and third-instar to 1000–10000 mg litre^?1 for older fourth-instars. For the one size class of Deleatidium tested (c.10 mm long), the value was 300–400 mg litre^?1. High control mortalities of C. zealandicus limit that species' usefulness as an acute bioassay candidate. Under chronic test conditions, cyromazine showed a high toxicity to eggs or early-instar larvae of C. zealandicus. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration for cyromazine against C. zealandicus was approximately 17.5 μg litre^?1. The possibility of water contamination at this level is discussed. Whole-of-life chronic tests with C. zealandicus indicated that the most susceptible stage was in the egg or soon after larval emergence. These results highlight the dangers of using short-term acute toxicity results to formulate environmental exposure limits for modern pesticides that do not have dysfunction of the nervous system as their mode of action.     

Resistance tests and field trials with bromadiolone for the control of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) on farms in Westphalia, Germany

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and the level of resistance to bromadiolone among rats on farms suspected of being foci of resistance by using the international normalised ratio (INR)‐based blood clotting response (BCR) test. Whether the level of reduced susceptibility constitutes ‘practical resistance’ was subsequently determined in field trials. RESULTS: The 2.5 multiple of the ED₅₀ baseline was used to test for the incidence of resistance, and higher multiples in the range of the suspected resistance factor were used to investigate the degree of resistance. The ED₅₀ values of bromadiolone in resistant rats were confirmed in the range 4.70–7.05 mg kg^?1 for males and 4.62–6.61 mg kg^?1 for females. Variations within these ranges appeared between farms. According to the BCR resistance tests, 50–100% of rats were classified as resistant prior to the field trials; 29–100% of rats survived the treatments. CONCLUSION: BCR tests based on the use of the INR and baselines are suitable for determining the incidence and for assessing the level of resistance in populations of Norway rats. The majority of rats of the Westphalian resistant strain, characterised by the Y139C marker in VKOR, are resistant to bromadiolone under practical control conditions. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

氯虫苯甲酰胺对2种跳虫的繁殖毒性与氧化胁迫

为研究氯虫苯甲酰胺 (chlorantraniliprole, CAP) 对跳虫的繁殖毒性和氧化胁迫效应,以2种跳虫白符跳Folsomia candida Willem和奇裸长跳Sinella insolens为受试生物,分别测定了CAP对其28 d和21 d的繁殖毒性和暴露于CAP亚致死剂量（白符跳0.0533 mg/kg,奇裸长跳100 mg/kg）10 d内,2种跳虫体内抗氧化防御系统受到的影响。结果表明,CAP对白符跳和奇裸长跳的繁殖率半抑制浓度 (EC_50-repro) 分别为0.533 mg/kg dw (95%置信区间为0.370~0.769 mg/kg dw) 和 > 1 000 mg/kg dw,毒性差异明显。暴露于亚致死剂量的CAP 0、2、4、6和10 d后,CAP能不同程度地影响2种跳虫的抗氧化防御系统。暴露初期过氧化氢酶 (CAT) 活性分别上升113%和108%,谷胱甘肽还原酶 (GR) 活性分别上升141%和74.6% (P < 0.05),随暴露时间延长,2种酶活性逐渐下降,最终趋向对照组水平;总谷胱甘肽 (TG) 活性水平始终维持在对照组以上,并在第6天达到最高;谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶 (GST) 活性在暴露初期分别下降38.4%和21.6% (P < 0.05),随暴露时间延长逐渐升高,回到对照组水平;脂质过氧化物 (LPO) 含量随暴露时间延长而呈现先上升后下降的趋势,变化幅度较小;而金属硫蛋白 (MT) 含量则未随暴露时间的延长而出现显著变化。本研究结果表明,白符跳对CAP更为敏感,可作为土壤环境中CAP的指示生物。CAT、GR和GST是指示CAP短期胁迫的较适宜的生物标志物,而TG和LPO可以作为指示CAP中长期胁迫的生物标志物。     

Baseline toxicity of several pesticides to Hyaliodes vitripennis (Say) (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Hyaliodes vitripennis (Say) is a univoltine indigenous predacious mirid. It has been reported in several orchards where IPM programmes are used. It is a generalist, and feeds on phytophagous mites in addition to other arthropods. In Quebec, a foliar application of imidacloprid, deltamethrin or lambda‐cyhalothrin is used at least once per season to manage arthropod pests such as leafhoppers and leaf‐eating caterpillars. Meanwhile, several applications of metiram, flusilazole, myclobutanil and mancozeb are made to control apple scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter]. In laboratory trials, comparison of lethal concentrations of the three insecticides against H vitripennis nymphs and adults showed no significant difference. However, when lethal concentrations were compared between two growth stages for each insecticide, a significant difference was noted between adults and nymphs treated with lambda‐cyhalothrin, adults being more susceptible than nymphs. No such difference could be detected for imidacloprid or deltamethrin. When LC₅₀ values were compared with the manufacturer's label rates, deltamethrin and imidacloprid were toxic to the nymphs and adults, and lambda‐cyhalothrin was slightly toxic to the nymphs and moderately toxic to the adults. Among the fungicides evaluated in the laboratory, myclobutanil showed moderate toxicity to adults at the manufacturer's label rate. The remaining fungicides had no toxic effects to adults or nymphs, even at four times the manufacturer's label rate. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potentiation of Super-kdr resistance to deltamethrin and other pyrethroids by an intensifier (factor 161) on autosome 2 in the housefly (Musca domestica L.)

An intensifier (factor 161) identified on the second autosome in a pyrethroid-resistant strain of houseflies (Musca domestica L.) was isolated and introduced into a strain with super-kdr. Unlike E_0.39, which on its own also confers very weak (< × 3) resistance to pyrethroids, factor 161 very strongly intensified super-kdr resistance to pyrethroids. Together, factor 161 and super-kdr conferred immunity to deltamethrin in female houseflies (LD₅₀ > 20 μg fly^?1) but produced much less intensification of resistance to WL 48281, the (1R)cis (αS) isomer of cypermethrin, which differs from deltamethrin only in having chlorine instead of bromine substituents in the acid side-chain. Intensification was strongly decreased by piperonyl butoxide and propyl prop-2-ynylphenylphosphonate (NIA) but was unaffected by S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF). This synergism suggests involvement of oxidative rather than esteratic metabolism in the intensification of super-kdr by factor 161.     

Evaluation of semiochemical toxicity to houseflies and stable flies (Diptera: Muscidae)

BACKGROUND: The housefly, Musca domestica L., and stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) are cosmopolitan pests of both farm and home environments. Houseflies have been shown to be resistant to a variety of insecticides, and new chemistries are slow to emerge on the market. Toxicities of selected semiochemicals with molecular structures indicative of insecticidal activity were determined against adults from an insecticide‐susceptible laboratory strain of houseflies. The three most active semiochemicals were also evaluated against recently colonized housefly and stable fly strains. RESULTS: Nineteen semiochemicals classified as aliphatic alcohols, terpenoids, ketones and carboxylic esters showed toxicity to houseflies and stable flies. Rosalva (LC₅₀ = 25.98 µg cm^?2) followed by geranyl acetone and citronellol (LC₅₀ = 49.97 and 50.02 µg cm^?2) were identified as the most toxic compounds to houseflies. Permethrin was up to 144‐fold more toxic than rosalva on the susceptible strain. However, it was only 35‐fold more toxic to the insecticide‐tolerant field strain. The compounds generated high toxicity to stable flies, with LC₅₀ values ranging from 16.30 to 40.41 µg cm^?2. CONCLUSION: Quantification of LC₅₀ values of rosalva, citronellol and geranyl acetone against susceptible housefly and field‐collected housefly and stable fly strains showed that semiochemicals could serve as potent insecticides for fly control programs. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Brodifacoum is effective against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a tyrosine139cysteine focus of anticoagulant resistance in Westphalia,Germany

BACKGROUND: The tyrosine to cysteine amino acid substitution at location 139 of the vkorc1 protein (i.e. tyrosine139cysteine or Y139C) is the most widespread anticoagulant resistance mutation in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in Europe. Field trials were conducted to determine the incidence of the Y139C mutation at two rat‐infested farms in Westphalia, Germany, and to estimate the practical efficacy against them of applications, using a pulsed baiting treatment regime, of a proprietary bait (Klerat^?) containing 0.005% brodifacoum. RESULTS: DNA analysis for the Y139C mutation showed that resistant rats were prevalent at the two farms, with an incidence of 80.0 and 78.6% respectively. Applications of brodifacoum bait achieved results of 99.2 and 100.0% control at the two farms, when measured by census baiting, although the treatment was somewhat prolonged at one site, possibly owing to the abundance of attractive alternative food. CONCLUSION: The study showed that 0.005% brodifacoum bait is fully effective against Norway rats possessing the Y139C mutation at the Münsterland focus and is likely to be so elsewhere in Europe where this mutation is found. The pulsed baiting regime reduced to relatively low levels the quantity of bait required to control these two substantial resistant Norway rat infestations. Previous studies had shown much larger quantities of bromadiolone and difenacoum baits used in largely ineffective treatments against Y139C resistant rats in the Münsterland. These results should be considered when making decisions about the use of anticoagulants against resistant Norway rats and their potential environmental impacts. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

苯氧威对斑马鱼不同发育阶段急性毒性及胚胎卵黄囊仔鱼阶段慢性毒性作用

为了解苯氧威对斑马鱼的毒性作用,采用半静态方法,研究了苯氧威对斑马鱼不同发育阶段的急性毒性。结果表明:苯氧威对斑马鱼胚胎、孵化12 h和72 h的仔鱼以及成鱼的96 h-LC50值分别为2.35、0.98、1.87和1.67 mg/L,其对斑马鱼成鱼具有中等毒性;苯氧威对斑马鱼胚胎的自主运动、心率、孵化率、仔鱼体长等亚致死效应指标均有影响,并使得胚胎出现了心包囊肿、脊柱弯曲及无黑色素附着等畸形现象。进一步研究了苯氧威对斑马鱼胚胎卵黄囊仔鱼阶段的慢性毒性作用。结果显示:苯氧威对斑马鱼胚胎24 h自主运动、48 h心率、72 h畸形率及11 d孵化仔鱼体长均有不同程度的抑制作用,其最低可观测效应浓度(LOEC)值分别为0.60、0.20、0.60和0.80 mg/L,而与之对应的无可观测效应浓度(NOEC)值分别为0.40、0.10、0.40和0.60 mg/L。试验中还发现:苯氧威对斑马鱼胚胎孵化有明显抑制作用;心率是斑马鱼胚胎卵黄囊仔鱼阶段毒性试验最敏感的观察指标。     

9种常用杀螨剂对巴氏新小绥螨和二斑叶螨的毒力及毒力选择性研究

为使化学防治和保护利用捕食螨的生物防治措施相协调, 实现以螨治螨, 采用叶片残毒法分别测定了甘肃省保护地常用的9种杀螨剂对巴氏新小绥螨和二斑叶螨的LC50, 计算出各药剂的益害生物毒性选择指数(TSR)。供试药剂的毒性选择指数大小依次为：毒死蜱＞螺螨酯＞哒螨灵＞炔螨特＞唑螨酯＞阿维菌素＞三唑锡＞甲氰菊酯＞噻螨酮。其中, 毒死蜱和螺螨酯的毒性选择指数分别为10.864 1和9.361 3, 对巴氏新小绥螨和二斑叶螨均有较高的正向选择性, 毒死蜱和螺螨酯可优先用于生产中害虫(螨)的防治, 同时最大限度地保护了捕食螨, 实现对害虫(螨)化学防治和生物防治的相互协调。     

The toxicity of diflubenzuron to Oxya japonica (Willemse) and its effect on moulting

A laboratory evaluation of the acute toxicity of diflubenzuron against the final stage of Oxya japonica nymphs showed that it was more effective in preventing the development of the nymphs into the adults when applied topically, than when injected. Histological studies revealed that treated nymphs that subsequently died, before or during ecdysis, suffered from severe endocuticular lesions. Comparable abnormalities and disruption of endocuticular deposition and growth were also seen in nymphs that were treated topically with diflubenzuron at 50 or 200 μg a.i. per insect, although these nymphs appeared normal externally.     

Resistance testing and the effectiveness of difenacoum against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a tyrosine139cysteine focus of anticoagulant resistance,Westphalia, Germany

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant resistance in Norway rats at foci in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is genetically characterised by the same single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and consequent amino acid exchange from tyrosine to cysteine at location 139 of the vkorc1 gene (i.e. tyrosine139cysteine or Y139C). The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of resistance among rats at two infested farm sites in the Y139C focus in Westphalia, Germany, using blood clotting response (BCR) tests, and to determine the practical efficacy of applications of a commercial 50 ppm difenacoum bait (Neokil^?) against them. RESULTS: BCR tests showed that the difenacoum resistance factor (RF) among the Y139C rats was about 2.5. DNA analysis for the Y139C mutation revealed that it was present among rats at the two sites with a prevalence of 75 and 93%. Applications of difenacoum bait at the two sites achieved 86.8 and 59.9% control. The different outcomes did not appear to be due to differences either in the degree and prevalence of resistance or in the quantities of poisoned bait consumed. CONCLUSION: The study showed that, although the RF for difenacoum among rats carrying the Y139C SNP was apparently low, an acceptable level of control of resistant Norway rat infestations was not achieved using difenacoum. Continued use of anticoagulants against rats that are resistant to them will exacerbate resistance problems in terms of both increased severity and prevalence. These conclusions are likely to apply elsewhere in Europe where the Y139C SNP occurs. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry