RESUMO
The hazard effects of 3 insecticides [Avermectin [Av], Imidacloprid [Im], and Fenvalerate [Fn]] belonging to different chemical groups were tested on albino rats. Pregnant rats were orally administered these insecticides either individually or in paired combinations from days 7-21 of gestation in the absence and presence of vitamin C. Generally, the signs of toxicity in dams were tremors, convulsion, diarrhea, general emaciation and a loss in body weight gain. However, the internal organs of liver showed an increase in weight, while that of kidney revealed insignificant changes. The maternal and fetal toxicity were considered by average litter weight, average fetus weight and number of live fetuses/dam. All these parameters were significantly decreased as a result of insecticide applications. The ameliorating effect of vitamin C supplementation was clearly observed in treatment of Im+Fn; where the number of live fetuses/dam improved from 7 to 9, which nearly equals the number of control [10/dam]. Moreover, Kupffer cell activation, granular degradation, pyknosis and cloudy swelling were the major manifestation of liver toxicity, while the histopathological changes in kidney sections were glomerular tuft atrophy and degenerated epithelium lining renal tubules. The sections of ovary revealed stages of necrosis in the luteal cells and hemorrhages between the luteal cells as well. In addition, the brain also revealed signs of focal gliosis and mononuclear infiltration. Normal appearance was regarded in the liver of Av and Av+Im groups following the administration of the antioxidant. The overall results obtained highlight the importance of vitamin C supplementation for ameliorating some hazards of exposure to the studied insecticides