Assessment of neurotoxicity induced by oral administration of chlordecone (Kepone) in the mouse.

Neurotoxicity in the mouse was produced following oral administration of chlordecone at 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day in corn oil vehicle. Hyperexcitability and tremors were observed on the 1st, 4th and 9th day after the administration of chlordecone at 50, 25 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively, and mortality occurred on the 5th, 7th and 13th day after daily administration of the respective doses. In all cases, the cumulative LD 50 for chlordecone was estimated between 180 and 200 mg/kg. Daily oral administration of chlordecone caused loss of body weight, and the loss of body weight was greatest at the onset of tremor. The effect of chlordecone on food and water consumption varied depending on the dose. A recovery in body weight, and food and water consumption were observed upon the termination of chlordecone treatment. In terms of neurotoxic responses, the effect of chlordecone on motor coordination in the mouse was dose-dependent, both during treatment and during recovery after terminating treatment. The threshold for pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures was significantly reduced in chlordecone treated animals. This study may provide essential basic information for studying the biochemical mechanisms of chlordecone-induced neurotoxicity in the mouse.