Effects of amitraz on the arterial blood pressure and body rectal temperature of conscious rats

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of acute amitraz (100.0 mg/kg) administration on arterial blood pressure and body rectal temperature of male Wistar rats. Amitraz decreased arterial blood pressure and also produced hypothermia. Tyramine (100.0 mg/kg) administration induced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the pressure of the rats dosed with the pesticide, but did not change the arterial blood pressure of the rats in the control group. Half of the rats given amitraz plus tyramine, but not the control solution plus tyramine died 3 to 10 hr after the drug administration. The indicative signs of intoxication included sedation, motor incoordination and coma. Yohimbine (10.0 mg/kg) did not change amitraz-induced hypotermia (p<0.05). Although possible action of amitraz on brain alpha² noradrenergic receptors could not be excluded, the results were interpreted on a possible monoaminoxidase inhibitor (MAOI) - like action for the pesticide.