ABSTRACT
The present study evaluated if repeated malathion administration would cause behavioral impairment in rat pups. Na+K+ ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were investigated in brains of rat pups. Malathion was administered (100 or 200 mg/kg) orally (p.o.), once a day for four consecutive days. Rat pups were submitted to behavioral tests on the 5th day, 24 h after the last malathion administration. Malathion at the dose of 200 mg/kg caused a significant increase in the negative geotaxis latency and a decrease in the rotarod latency of rat pups. Rat pups exposed to malathion at both doses showed a significant decrease in the forelimb support latency and an inhibition of brain AChE activity. Repeated exposure of rat pups to malathion caused a decrease in motor coordination, vestibular function and muscular strength/coordination. The brain activity of AChE is involved in the behavioral alterations caused by malathion in rat pups.
