| This study examined the effects of the organophosphorus delayed neurotoxicant triphenyl phosphine (TPPn) in the European ferret (Mustela putorius furo). Adult ferrets were injected subcutaneously with 250 or 500 mg TPPn/kg body weight, or the diethyl ether/peanut oil vehicle. Whole-brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and neuropathy target esterase (NTE) activities were measured 24 hours post-dosing and neither enzyme was inhibited. Clinical signs were assessed over a six day observation period and ranged from difficulty in holding the head erect to forelimb and hindlimb. Neuropathological damage was assessed by the Fink-Heimer silver impregnation method and axonal and terminal degeneration occurred in several forebrain, midbrain, brainstem, and cerebellum. The results of the present study indicate that TPPn is a neurotoxicant that produces clinical signs and pathology consistent with organophosphorus induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN) in the European ferret without inhibition of NTE and AChE. |
