Developmental exposure to mancozeb induced neurochemical and morphological alterations in adult male mouse hypothalamus

•Developmental exposure altered amino acid neurotransmission in adult hypothalamus.•Variations in glutamate and GABA levels showed increased excitation/inhibition ratio.•Morphological changes revealed mitochondrial edema and demyelination in hypothalamus. Mancozeb, a dithiocarbamate widely used in agriculture, is considered a developmental hazard in humans; however, more evidences are still needed concerning the consequences of chronic exposure to this pesticide. Mancozeb neurotoxicity in developing mouse hypothalamus was evaluated by subchronic exposure of male Mus musculus mice to low and high doses of mancozeb (30 and 90 mg/kg body weight, respectively) from late neonatal until adolescence. Variations in hypothalamic amino acid neurotransmitter levels and changes in histological as well as cytological characteristics were analyzed in young adult experimental mice and compared with control. A dose-dependent increase in excitation/ inhibition ratio was observed in mancozeb-exposed hypothalamus, indicating an overall state of excitoxicity. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies showed increased apoptosis, neuroinflammation and demyelination, demonstrating mancozeb-induced cytotoxicity in hypothalamic neurosecretory cells. In summary, both neurochemical and morphological data revealed mancozeb-induced alterations during development of hypothalamic circuitry that are critical for maturation of the neuroendocrine system.