Assessment of behaviour, performance, and blood parameters in Japanese quail under toxic stress of imidacloprid and its modulation by vitamin B complex

Pesticides are classified as a major source of contamination and a substantial risk to both humans and animals. The fourth generation of pesticides is the neonicoetinoid insecticides. Imidacloprid is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide utilized in crop protection. The current study was conducted to assess behaviour, performance, and some blood parameters due to long-term use of sub-lethal doses of IM in Japanese quails and the protective impact of vitamin B complex. Non-sexed, one day-old chicks were split into three groups of 45 each. Oral administration of imidacloprid in water at dose of 1/10 of LD50 (4.43 mg/kg from 70%) (Group 1), 1/10 of IM LD50 + 5 ml/kg Vitamin B complex were given orally (Group 2), and the control was received only water (Group 3). Administration applied twice weekly for two weeks old age quails for 12 weeks. Data on behavior, performance, and welfare were collected weekly (weeks 1, 2, and 3), while blood samples were taken biweekly (weeks 2 and 4) until the fourth week. Finally, pathological samples were taken exclusively at week 12 of the experiment. The obtained data revealed that, from a behavioral perspective, there was a significant decrease in feeding behaviors (feeding and drinking), comfort behavior, and locomotor activity (standing), alongside an increase in crouching behavior. Growth performance was also adversely affected, as evidenced by a significant decrease in final body weight and body weight gain, paired with a significant increase in the feed conversion ratio despite a decrease in total feed intake. In terms of welfare, a significant increase in tonic immobility time and its index was observed, both of which were partially ameliorated by the vitamin B complex supplementation. Finally, on the biochemical side, there was a significant increase in specific liver and kidney parameters (creatinine, ALT, and AST), as well as a significant decrease in total protein, albumin, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Histopathology of sciatic nerves showed different damages. Some of these alterations were partially attenuated by addition of vitamin b-complex as (Creatinine and total protein). It was concluded that, the long-term use of low dose imidacloprid resulted in deterioration in various behavioral, biochemical, and pathological measurements, affecting the body performance. The administration of vitamin B complex could ameliorate many of these hazardous effects.