Rotenone Induced Alterations in Lifecycle Parameters and Compound Eye Morphology of Drosophila Melanogaster

Rotenone is a widely used natural pesticide and piscicide and a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I (NADHquinone reductase) that elicits the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Present study explored the adverse effect of rotenone at concentrations far below the reported LC₅₀ on several life cycle parameters and on the compound eye structure of a non-target insect, Drosophila melanogaster. Newly hatched first instar larvae were introduced in Drosophila food medium containing different concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 μg/L) of rotenone. Different life cycle parameters were recorded. Emerged adult flies were collected and studied under Scanning electron microscope. Student's t-test was performed to explore significant difference and changes in both life cycle parameter and eye architecture. Treated groups showed significant delay (p<0.05 level) in larval duration, pupal duration, and in emergence of flies when compared with the control groups. Delay in life cycle parameters significantly increased with increase of rotenone exposure. Interestingly, the compound eye structure of the treated flies was seen to be affected by rotenone. Thus these results clearly demonstrate that chronic exposure to rotenone can alter the structure and lifecycle of a non-target organism like Drosophila at sub-lethal concentrations. Thus rotenone in Drosophila at sub-lethal concentrations might be the reason for developmental toxicity.