Investigations of amitraz neurotoxicity in rats. I. Effects on operant performance.

Amitraz (AMZ) is a formamidine pesticide which is often compared to chlordimeform (CDM). The effects of AMZ (6.25-75 mg/kg) and CDM (5-20 mg/kg) on the schedule-controlled performance of rats were examined using a multiple fixed-ratio (FR) 10 fixed-interval (FI) 300-sec schedule of milk reinforcement. Following dose-effect determinations, rats received three daily doses of AMZ (50 mg/kg). Low to intermediate doses of AMZ (6.25-25 mg/kg), administered 20 min presession, significantly decreased FI responding but not FR responding. In contrast, CDM appeared to decrease responding similarly under both components. Both compounds disrupted the temporal pattern of responding within the interval; AMZ had only a moderate influence at all effective doses but CDM produced a marked dose-dependent disruption of temporal response patterning. The effects of the high doses of AMZ (50-75 mg/kg) were more pronounced 24 hr after dosing, whereas the rats had recovered from lower doses at this time. Performance was progressively disrupted and the rats' health rapidly deteriorated during the course of three daily injections of AMZ (50 mg/kg). Operant performance recovered more quickly than did the general health of the rats. Thus AMZ produced effects of multiple-schedule performance that were distinct from the effects of CDM. Moreover, the signs of intoxication and the effects on schedule-controlled behavior following a high dose (50 mg/kg) were augmented and persistent with short-term repeated administration.