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Pronounced repetitive activity induced by the pyrethroid insecticide, fenfluthrin, in the slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron of the crayfish

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Summary

  1. 1.

    The effect of the fast acting pyrethroid insecticide pentafluorbenzyl (1R,cis)-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane-carboxylate (fenfluthrin) on impulse generation and on the generator potential in the slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron of the crayfish was investigated by recording intracellularly from the soma and extracellularly from the axon.

  2. 2.

    Fenfluthrin (1 nM) caused prolonged afterdischarges at stimulus conditions which in control experiments elicited only one or a few action potentials. These afterdischarges could last for several minutes and were followed by a pronounced posttetanic hyperpolarization of the membrane, which was due to the activation of the electrogenic Na+/K+ pump.

  3. 3.

    The repetitive activity originated in the axon (at or close to the ‘spike trigger zone’) or in the soma. The axon generated repetitive activity of a higher frequency than the soma.

  4. 4.

    During repetitive activity the soma membrane gradually depolarized and the action potential decreased in amplitude. The falling phase of the action potential became prolonged and the hyperpolarizing afterpotential gradually changed into a depolarizing one. Fenfluthrin had no effect on the resting membrane potential. Similar effects were observed after treatment with the insecticide DDT.

  5. 5.

    In the presence of 0.5 μM tetrodotoxin the shape, amplitude or stretch-dependence of the generator potential was not noticeably affected by fenfluthrin.

  6. 6.

    It is concluded that fenfluthrin primarily affects the generation of action potentials and that it does not affect the transduction process. The repetitive afterdischarges are most readily explained by a prolongation of the sodium current flowing through insecticide-modified voltage-dependent sodium channels. This results in a depolarizing drive on the membrane potential following excitation.

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Abbreviations

PTH :

post-tetanic hyperpolarization

SSRN :

slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron

TTX :

Tetrodotoxin

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Author notes

  1. Gé S. F. Ruigt

    Present address: Organon Int SDG, RE2134, POB 20, 5340BH OSS, The Netherlands

  2. Jacques F. L. Klis

    Present address: Dept. KNO, Academisch Ziekenhuis Utrecht, Catharijnesingel 101, 3511GV, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Pharmacology Pharmacy and Toxicology, University of Utrecht, PO Box 80176, NL-3508, TD Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Gé S. F. Ruigt, Jacques F. L. Klis & Joep van den Bercken

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  1. Gé S. F. Ruigt
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  3. Joep van den Bercken
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Ruigt, G.S.F., Klis, J.F.L. & van den Bercken, J. Pronounced repetitive activity induced by the pyrethroid insecticide, fenfluthrin, in the slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron of the crayfish. J. Comp. Physiol. 159, 43–53 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00612494

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