Serotonergic and cholecystokinin antagonists change patterns of response in rats (Rattus norvegicus) to oral sodium monofluoroacetate

Authors: Cook CJ
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 46, Issue 2, pp 76-78, Apr 1998
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Laboratory animal, Rat, Rodent, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Toxicology, Pest/pesticides, Poisoning - chemical, Poisoning, Behaviour, Parasites - external
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) is a toxin commonly used for the control of wild and feral pests in New Zealand. This toxin has a relatively long, variable, latent period between administration and death with reports ranging from 60 minutes to numerous hours for the same dosage in different animals. Potentially, symptoms experienced in this period may cause suffering and have welfare implications. A variety of symptoms have been reported, most of which are species-dependent. These range from vocalisations and hyperactivity (dogs, rats), through nausea and apprehension (humans), to ataxia, weakness, seizure and death in most species examined. In this preliminary study, I have investigated behaviours in rats following oral administration of 1080 and examined the effects of two other oral additives on these behaviours. One of these additives was a serotonergic (5HT, subtype) receptor antagonist, used to control emesis in primates and having some anti-nausea properties, and the other was a cholecystokinin (B-subtype) receptor antagonist with anxiolytic properties. Rats (20 males, body weights 300-400 g) were housed…

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