African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (18), pp. 2114-2118, 19 September 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of Maneb on implantation, fecundity rate and the thyroid activity in the rabbit

Mallem L.¹*, Boulakoud M. S.¹, Keck G.² and Khalili K.¹

¹Laboratory of Animal Ecophysiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Badji Mokthar-Annaba, B.P 12 El Hadjar, 23000, Annaba, Algeria.

²Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon, Département  de S.B.F.A Unité des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et toxicologie, 1 avenue Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy l’Etoile. France.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: leilamallem@yahoo.fr. Tel: (213) (0) 38 51 87 64. Mobile: 213 (0) 75 19 99 96. Fax: (213) (0) 38835640.

Accepted 13 July, 2007

The fungicide Maneb is a member of the family of dithiocarbamates that is used in the control of the fungal diseases of plants. The purpose of this work is to examine the effect of Maneb on implantation and thyroid activity at doses of 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg/day by gavage for 10 days in the domestic female rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 11th day of pregnancy. The results indicate an increase in the body weight in the treated female. An increase is also observed in the weight of liver in the treated females with a darker color. There is 50% of inhibition of implantation in the group treated with the higher dose (50 mg/kg/day) when compared with control rabbit. The inhibition of implantation by Maneb may be to due to hormonal imbalance.

Key words: Maneb, implantation, fecundity, thyroid, rabbit.