Rat strain and stock comparisons using a functional observational battery: Baseline values and effects of amitraz

doi:10.1016/0041-008X(91)90117-W

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

Volume 108, Issue 2, April 1991, Pages 267-283

https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(91)90117-W Get rights and content

Abstract

A functional observational battery (FOB) was utilized to assess the effects of 3-day exposure to the formamidine pesticide amitraz in outbred Sprague-Dawley-derived and inbred Fischer-344-derived (F344) rats (both from Charles River Laboratories) and in outbred Long-Evans rats obtained from two commercial suppliers (Charles River Breeding Laboratories and Blue Spruce Farms). Significant strain and stock differences were obtained in baseline values for one-third of the FOB measures. In most cases, F344 rats were different from the others. Characteristic signs of amitraz exposure consisting of increased excitability, hyper-reactivity and physiological and autonomic changes were evident in all treated rats. These effects increased with repeated dosing, and many were still present 6 days after dosing. On individual measures, there were differences between the strains and stocks in terms of sensitivity and time course of amitraz effects. In general, Blue Spruce Long-Evans rats displayed more effects of amitraz and F344 rats recovered more quickly than others. Although Sprague-Dawley rats showed the least effect overall, they displayed the largest increases in the sensorimotor responses to stimuli. These data indicate that although some behavioral and physiological parameters showed strain and supplier differences, in both baseline values and the effects of amitraz, conclusions concerning its neurotoxic potential in a screening context would be similar.

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^☆: The research described in this article has been supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Contract (No. 68-02-4450) to NSI Technology Services, Inc. This manuscript has been reviewed by the Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. E.P.A., and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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Regular articleRat strain and stock comparisons using a functional observational battery: Baseline values and effects of amitraz☆,☆☆

Abstract

Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.

Anim. Behav.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Lett.

Neurotoxicol. Teratol.

Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Neurotoxicol. Teratol.

Physiol. Behav.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Physiol. Behav.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.

Toxicol. Lett.

Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.

Behav. Biol.

Life Sci.

Determinants of emotionality in the rat: III. Strain differences

J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol.

Data evaluation and statistical analysis of functional observational battery data using a linear models approach

J. Am. Coll. Toxicol.

Multistrain experiments for screening toxic substances

J. Toxicol. Environ. Health

Properties of inbred strains and outbred stocks, with special reference to toxicity testing

J. Toxicol. Environ. Health

Regular article
Rat strain and stock comparisons using a functional observational battery: Baseline values and effects of amitraz☆,☆☆