Toxicopathological Effects of Brodifacoum in Rats Following Secondary Exposure

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Pathology and Poultry Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.

2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Bertam Campus, Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

10.32598/ijvm.20.3.1005961

Abstract

Background: Brodifacoum is a highly lethal 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulant rodenticide that acts as a vitamin K antagonist. Its lipophilic nature enables long-term retention in tissues allowing predators and scavengers to become exposed through contaminated prey. Despite its widespread use its toxicopathological effects remain insufficiently defined.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the toxicopathological effects of brodifacoum using male rats following secondary exposure through contaminated liver homogenate.
Methods: Ninety rats were randomly divided into four groups: group G1 received brodifacoum bait for 24 to 48 hours (primary toxicity), group G2 served as an untreated control, group G3 received an untreated liver homogenate from G2 to be used as a secondary control and group G4 received a liver homogenate contaminated with brodifacoum from G1 (secondary toxicity). Hepatic residues were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Gross examination, hemorrhagic scoring, and histopathological examinations were conducted on major organs.
Results: HPLC analysis confirmed that brodifacoum significantly accumulated in the liver. G4 showed around a fivefold higher residue level (17.87±0.11 µg/g) compared with G1 (3.53±0.49 µg/g). Hepatic CYP450 content showed a 1.8-fold increase in G4 relative to G3 (P<0.0001). Gross and microscopic examinations revealed marked hemorrhagic and degenerative changes, most prominent in the lungs, liver, and kidneys in G4. 
Conclusion: The results of the current study support the use of male rats as a model to evaluate the toxicopathological effects of brodifacoum following secondary exposure.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume 20, Issue 3
May and June 2026
Pages 587-604

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