Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid used worldwide in agriculture sector for controlling sucking insect pests. It has high specificity to insects and relatively low risk to non-targets including mammals. Chronic exposure to this insecticide is, however, toxic to mammalian systems. Biomagnification of residual effects in the food chain necessitates studies on their adverse effects. Hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, immunotoxic and genotoxic effects of imidacloprid intoxication are well known. The present review recapitulates knowledge about toxicity caused by imidacloprid to male and female reproductive systems based on studies in laboratory animals. Studies have revealed toxic effects of imidacloprid on parents as well as the offsprings. Reproductive toxicity of imidacloprid includes altered hormonal level, disturbance in estrous cyclicity, impaired fertility, spontaneous abortion, stillbirths and teratogenic defects. These changes are caused due to production of free radicals during metabolism which ultimately lead to oxidative stress and tissue damage.
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