Effect of carbofuran insecticide administration to fetal weight and length of mice (Mus musculus)

Introduction: Carbofuran could decrease cholinesterase levels are significantly associated with reduced gestation duration of and the risk of low birth weight and length. This study aims to determine a decrease in the fetal weight and length of pregnant mice exposed to carbofuran.
Objective: This study used 18 female mice aged 10 weeks old with a weight of 25-30 grams. Female mice were mated with 18 male mice aged 12 weeks old which were synchronized using the hormones of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG). This study was divided into three treatments, namely control (C), carbofuran at a dose of 0.0417 mg/mouse (T1), and carbofuran at a dose of 0.0208 mg/mouse (T2). Each pregnant mouse was treated with carbofuran for 10 days from day 6 up to day 15 of gestation when vaginal plugs were seen. Fetal collection was carried out on day 17 to measure the fetal weight and length. Data were analyzed using the ANOVA test and Duncan's test (significance 5%).
Results: The results showed that the treatment groups (T1 and T2) had a decrease in the fetal weight and length compared to the control (C) (p<0.05), nevertheless the treatment groups (T1 and T2) did not have significant difference (p>0/05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that administration of carbofuran to pregnant mice could decrease the fetal weight and length.