EFFECT OF THE ORGANOPHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDE RAIDER® (CHLORPYRIPHOS 20% EC) ON METABOLITES IN THE BRAIN OF THE NEW ZEALAND RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The effect of the organophosphorus insecticide Raider® (chlorpyriphos 20% EC) on metabolites in the brain of the New Zealand Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was investigated. This was done to determine the implication of this pesticide use in soils and foliage to control insects and its resultant implication with associated negative effects on human and animal health. A total of eighteen (18) healthy adult male New Zealand Rabbits weighing between 1.8 - 2.0kg were procured from the local Market and used for the study. Rabbits were acclimated for two weeks and Fed ad libitum using synthetic grower’s marsh pelletized and given 1.5L tap water. There was no mortality during acclimation. Rabbits were divided into four (4) groups representing one control group and three (3) treatment levels. Each group had three (3) replicates. Three concentrations of the toxicant of 1ppm, 2ppm and 3ppm derived from the range finder test were put in 1.5L of water and administered to the Rabbits in each compartment. The control group had no toxicant added to the 1.5L of water. Rabbits were exposed to the toxicant for 14 days and slaughter using a surgical knife and physical restraint. The Rabbit was dissected and the target organ (Brain) taken to the laboratory of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital for analysis of the metabolites; Total glyceride (TG), Total creatinine (TC), Total protein (TP) and cortisol using standard procedures. Data were analyzed for means and standard deviations. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine variability and similarities in the measured parameters between treatment groups at the 95% confidence limit. Turkey HSD Post HOC test was employed to separate means. This was done with the aid of the SPSS 20.0 tool kit. Result from the study showed that TG depreciated significantly from 0.89 mmol/L at the control (0ppm) to 0.55mmol/L at 3ppm. TC declined from 2.83nmol/L at 0ppm to 1.05nmol/L at 3ppm. TP also decreased from 6.93g/L at 0ppm to 4.81g/L at 3.0ppm, while cortisol levels appreciated from 62.83mmol/L at 0.ppm to 77.97mmol/L at 3ppm.There were significant differences (P<0.05) in TC, TP and cortisol between control and all treatment levels. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between control and 3ppm treatment level but no significant (P>0.05) difference between control and treatment levels of 1ppm and 2ppm.The result of this study suggests that the insecticide is toxic and dangerous to the brain of exposed animals. There should therefore be caution and restraint in its application.