Reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of imazalil administered to mice.

The fungicide imazalil was given in the diet at levels of 0 (control), 0.012, 0.024, and 0.048% from 5 weeks of age of the F0 generation to 9 weeks of age in the F1 generation in mice, and selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured. Number of movements, movement time, total distance, number of vertical activities, number of turnings, and number of defecations during movement activity at 8 weeks of age of the F0 generation showed adverse effects of treatment on male mice. There were few adverse effects of imazalil on either litter size or weight and sex ratio. Average body weight of offspring during the early lactation period was significantly depressed in the high- and middle-dose groups of each sex. In the neurobehavioral parameters, surface righting and swimming head angle were significantly affected in male and female offspring during the early lactation period. The dose levels of imazalil in this study produced some adverse effects in reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters in mice.