Adverse Effects of Sub-lethal Doses of Chlorpyrifos on Birth Outcome of Female Wistar Rats

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used Organophosphorus pesticide for pest control, leading to increased risk for humans and wildlife exposure. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of chlorpyrifos on birth outcome in pregnant female wistar rats (Rattus novergicus). Animals were randomly assigned into 4 equal groups, group 1 were untreated and served as control. Rats of group 2 to 4 were treated with chlorpyrifos at concentration 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.8% respectively through feed and drinking water ad libitum from gestation day 1 through to weaning. The results on litter size indicates non-significant dose dependent decrease (p>0.05) across treated groups. Total litter birth weight significantly decreased (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared with control. Stillbirth recorded non-significant (p>0.05) among treatment groups when compared with that of control. Also, postnatal survival showed significant (p<0.05) dose dependent lower number of pups survival between parturition and weaning. These results demonstrated that Chlorpyrifos has adverse impact on birth outcome in treated rats.