In the present study, the effects of oral administration of imidacloprid over 4 weeks on body weight gain and haematological parameters were assessed. Forty eight male rats were divided into four groups of 12 animals each. Group 1 was control, group 2 was administered with imidacloprid at the rate of 80 mg/kg b.wt/day, group 3 was fed with vitamin C at the rate of 10 mg/kg/day and group 4 was treated with both imidacloprid and vitamin C. Body weight gain was significantly reduced in imidacloprid treated group animals. Haematological observations revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in TEC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC and a significant (P < 0.05) increase in TLC in group 2. A mild to moderate improvement in all parameters were observed in group 4 in comparison with group 2. In summary these results suggests that exposure to imidacloprid (80 mg/kg) induced alterations in body weight gain and haematological parameters and co-administration of vitamin- C brought moderate protection due to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect.
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