Effects Of Pyrethroid Insecticide (Ballistic) On Serum Lipid Profile And Some Sex Hormones Level Of Adult Female Albino Rats

Abstract

Ballistic is a pyrethroid insecticide containing deltamethrin and aromatic hydrocarbons as active ingredients. Twenty-four (24) female albino rats were divided into three groups of 8 animals.  Rats of the control group I were fed normal rat feed and water, while rats of the treatment groups II and III were administered 0.5ml/kg body weight of ballistic insecticide from the stock solution of 0.1ml (low dose) and 0.15ml (high dose) respectively in addition to being fed normal rat feed and water ad libitum for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and blood samples collected for analyses. Results of this study showed a significant body weight reduction from 146.1±10.93g to 135.3±4.82g in group II and 172.9±6.42g to 160.3±1.45g in group III, whereas the control group recorded a significant body weight increase. This study recorded a significant (p=0.001; p<0.05) increase in the lipid profile of the two treatment groups. The respective values for group I, II and III were: 1.9±0.051mmol/L, 2.1±0.041mmol/L and 2.3±0.041mol/L for total cholesterol, 0.63±0.011mmol/L, 0.68±0.007mmol/L and 0.69±0.007mmol/L for triglyceride, 0.5±0.037mmol/L, 0.8±0.041mmol/L and 0.8±0.058mmol/L for low density lipoprotein, 0.28±0.008mmol/L, 0.31±0.004mmol/L and 0.34±0.004mmol/L for very low density lipoprotein. There was however a decrease in the high density lipoprotein of the treated rats (1.22±0.037mmol/L, 1.20±0.108mmol/L and 1.05±0.065mmol/L). Follicle stimulating hormones decreased significantly in the treatment groups while luteinizing hormones levels were significantly increased. This study has revealed that ballistic is cytotoxic and deleterious to the physical traits and some biochemical parameters of female albino rats.