Toxicity and pathological effects of orally and intraperitoneally administered ivermectin on sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Dis Aquat Organ. 2002 Nov 7;52(1):69-76. doi: 10.3354/dao052069.

Abstract

The toxicity and histopathology of ivermectin was studied in 3 and 35 g sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. following in-feed, oral intubation and injection administration at dose rates ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 mg kg(-1). Estimated LD50 values for 3 g fish were 0.335 and 0.106 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration respectively, for fish reared at 11 degrees C; and 0.839 and 1.023 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration, respectively for fish reared at 20 degrees C. For 35 g fish reared at 11 degrees C, the estimated LD50 was 0.523 and 0.361 mg kg(-1) following oral intubation and injection administration respectively. No signs of toxicity were observed when the compound was administered via the feed at 0.5 and 0.7 mg kg(-1). However, toxicity (> 10%) was observed at dose rates of 0.2 mg kg(-1) and higher when the compound was administered via oral intubation and at 0.5 mg kg(-1) when administered via injection. The compound was significantly more toxic to fish reared at 11 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. Further, ivermectin was more toxic to 3 g than to 35 g sea bass when administered via injection. Histopathological examination of the major organs revealed pathology was largely restricted to gills and intestinal tissue. In 3 g sea bass, lesions were also found in the kidneys.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiparasitic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiparasitic Agents / toxicity*
  • Bass / physiology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gills / drug effects
  • Gills / metabolism
  • Gills / pathology
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal / veterinary
  • Intestines / drug effects
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Intubation, Gastrointestinal / veterinary
  • Ivermectin / administration & dosage
  • Ivermectin / toxicity*
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Mortality
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Antiparasitic Agents
  • Ivermectin