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. 2026 Jun 1;15:225. Originally published 2026 Feb 10. [Version 2] doi: 10.12688/f1000research.174211.2

Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Repeated Administration of Ivermectin in Rabbits

Mustafa A Saud 1,a, Sabea Khamees Abed 1,b, Mohammed Ali Shahooth 2, Mohammad Jadaan 1, Ahmed Emad Abood 1
PMCID: PMC13287982  PMID: 42344428

Version Changes

Revised. Amendments from Version 1

The revised version of the manuscript includes substantial improvements in response to the reviewers’ comments. The Introduction was extensively rewritten to provide a more focused background on ivermectin use in rabbits, including its physiological and biochemical effects, pharmacological mechanisms, and existing knowledge gaps related to repeated administration. The study objectives were also clarified and aligned more closely with the title and experimental design. The Materials and Methods section was reorganized using clear subheadings and expanded to include detailed descriptions of the experimental animals, housing conditions, treatment protocol, sample collection procedures, biochemical analyses, and statistical methods. Additional methodological details, including the number of animals per group and serum processing procedures, were added for clarity and reproducibility. The Results section was revised to improve data presentation and statistical reporting. The Discussion section was substantially expanded and restructured to provide deeper scientific interpretation of the findings in relation to oxidative stress, electrolyte imbalance, liver enzyme alterations, and metabolic disturbances associated with repeated ivermectin exposure. Comparisons with previous studies in other animal species and relevant physiological mechanisms were also incorporated. Furthermore, the entire manuscript underwent comprehensive language editing and scientific revision to improve clarity, consistency, and accuracy.

Abstract

Background

While ivermectin is a common antiparasitic drug used in veterinary medicine, the effects of repeated administration at therapeutic doses have not been well studied. Of particular interest is the impact of ivermectin on electrolyte balance, blood biochemistry, and oxidation-related markers in rabbits, as these animals are known to be sensitive to drug-related metabolic disturbances and side effects.

Methods

A total of 10 clinically healthy adult male rabbits (1.5-2 kg) were randomly assigned to a control group with no treatment or to a treatment group receiving ivermectin subcutaneously at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg once weekly for 30 days. The animals were housed in the physiological laboratory of the University of Fallujah under controlled environmental conditions. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected, and serum was analyzed for electrolytes, biochemical and oxidative markers, and liver enzyme activity using established laboratory methods.

Results

Repeated administration of ivermectin caused a statistically significant increase in potassium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate concentrations (P≤0.05) compared with baseline, while calcium and magnesium levels remained unchanged. Glucose, total protein, creatinine, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels increased statistically significantly (P≤0.05) compared with the control group, while albumin concentration decreased. Oxidative stress indicators showed increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity were also noted.

Conclusions

Repeated administration of ivermectin at therapeutic doses at short intervals causes disturbance in blood electrolyte balance, biochemical profile, and antioxidant system in rabbits, and may also negatively impact liver and kidney functions. These results indicate the need for cautions use of the drug, preferably limited to single administration at long intervals, to minimize the risk of side effects.

Keywords: Ivermectin, Biochemical, Electrolytes, Oxidative Markers

Introduction

Ivermectin is a semisynthetic derivative of a vermectin, a naturally occurring macrocyclic lactone produced by the bacterium Streptomyces avermitilus ( Hazan, 2022). This lipophilic macrocytic lactone compound exhibits broad -spectrum antiparasitic activity and is widely employed in both veterinary and human healthcare to control nematodes, arthropods, and other parasitic infections ( Hasan et al., 2022). Ivermectin is commonly used in animal husbandry systems for the prevention and treatment of infections caused by internal parasites in horses, cattle, sheep and goats ( Parisi et al., 2019; Bordes et al., 2020; Ahmed et al., 2020). Due to its wide use, the physiological and pharmacological effects of ivermectin on target species remain the subject of ongoing research. Ivermectin is the only avermectin derivative authorised for use in humans and is effective against parasitic infections such as onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Its antiparasitic activity is primarily mediatrd through activation of glutamate-gated chloride channels allowing for continuous flow of chloride, blocking the transfer of signals from the central interneurons to peripheral mite neurons. Thus, membrane hyperpolarization reduces cellular excitability, and the parasite becomes paralyzed and eventually die ( Wolstenholme and Neveu, 2022: Shwaish et al., 2024).

Despite its proven efficacy and extensive concerns have been raised regarding potential adverse effects in treated animals. Ivermectin exhibits a variety of pharmacokinetic properties, including high lipid solubility, long half-life and extensive tissue distribution, especially in the liver and adipose tissue ( Hennessy and Alvinerie, 2002). These properties may cause bioaccumulation and delayed elimination, especially via milk excretion during lactation. Ivermectin is also extensively metabolised in the liver by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. Experimental studies suggest that ivermectin and its metabolites may modulate the cytochrome P450 activity and related drug transporters in mammals, potentially contributing to altered hepatic metabolism and biochemical disturbances ( Salman et al., 2022).

Several studies have shown that avermectins (ivermectin, abamectin, doramectin and eprinomectin) may cause a variety of biochemical, hormonal and histopathological changes in animals exposed to these substances ( GabAllh et al., 2017; Salman et al., 2022). In cattle, prolonged or repeated dosing of these substances, even at therapeutic levels, has been associated with disturbances of endocrine and reproductive function. This includes dysregulation such as hormonal imbalances, altered reproductive patterns and reduced fertility ( Sadek and Shaheen, 2015; Nicolas et al., 2020).

Ivermectin is given routinely to rabbits to prevent and treat gastrointestinal parasitic infestations and mange ( Sharun et al., 2019). Rabbits are of economic importance as an agricultural resource, as well as a valuable model for biomedical research, and it is therefore imperative to maintain their physiological integrity by maintaining effective antiparasitic management protocols. But repeated or prolonged exposure to these compounds could lead to subclinical physiological changes which may adversely affect animal welfare and productivity. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of repeated ivermectin administration on biochemical and mineral parameters in rabbits to provide further insight.

Material and methods

Ten clinically healthy adult male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) weighing 1.5 to 2 kg (aged 10 to 12 months) were included in the study. The animals were maintained in the physiology laboratory of the University of Fallujah under controlled climate conditions: 23 ± 3 °C, 12-hour light and dark periods, and a relative humidity of 50-60%.Food was fed daily using a commercial balanced diet and water was freely available. Before the initiation of the experimental procedures to minimize handling stress and achieve full acclimatization to the laboratory environment. to minimize handling stress and achieve full acclimatization to the laboratory environment.

After acclimation, rabbits were randomly allocated to one of two groups of five animals: a control group (no treatment) and an ivermectin-treated group (Ivermac-10 ®, ADWIA Pharmaceuticals, Egypt) that received ivermectin at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg body weight by subcutaneous injection once weekly for 4 weeks. Prior to blood collection, animals were sedated with xylazine (6 mg per kg body weight, intramuscular) ( Sarwar et al., 2014) to minimize procedural stress and facilitate blood collection by cardiac puncture.

All animal experimentation, including blood sampling or anaesthetic, have been carried out according to the ethical guidelines and recommendations of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for proper care and treatment of experimental animals ( Underwood et al., 2013). Blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes and the serum was stored at −20 °C until biochemical analysis. The concentrations of serum sodium, potassium and chloride were determined by the automated biochemical analyzer DiaSys Respons 920, manufactured by DiaSys Diagnostic Systems, Germany, according to standard analysis method. Biochemical parameters were determined using colorimetric assay Kit (Agappe Diagnostics Swtzerland for glucose, total protein, albumin and AST and ALT), (Sam Diagnostic, Dubai-UAE for urea, uric acid, cholesterol and superoxide dismutase activity) and (Biolabo SAS, France for creatinine, triglycerides, MDA and GSH) and (Elabscience, China for calcium, magnesium and phosphate). Data was analyzed statistically using SPSS (version 21.0; IBM). Data are reported as mean ± SEM. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine the significance. Independent two-sample t-test was used to evaluate differences between the occlusion and control groups. The false discovery rate (FDR) was controlled using the Benjamini-Hochberg correction and the significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05 to minimize the risk of type I errors due to multiple comparisons ( Larsen et al., 1973).

Results

1- Effect of Ivermectin on specific serum electrolyte ion values in rabbits

Ivermectin substantially increased (P ≤ 0.05) the potassium, sodium, chloride, and phosphate ion levels in blood serum compared to the control. Ivermectin did not affect serum calcium or magnesium concentrations ( Table 1).

Table 1. Effect of repeated administration of Ivermectin on specific serum electrolyte ion (K +, Na +, Cl - , Phosphate, Mg +2, and Ca +2) values in male rabbits.

Parameters Control Ivermectin P-value
K + (mmol/L) 5.24 ± 0.23 B 6.54 ± 0.2 A 0.0035
Na + (mmol/L) 143.4 ± 0.74 B 158.4 ± 1.29 A 0.0023
Cl - (mmol/L) 112 ± 0.83 B 117.4 ± 1.1 A 0.0042
Phosphate (U/L) 3.74 ± 0.27 B 8.9 ± 0.63 A 0.00031
Mg +2 (mg/dl) 2.23 ± 0.04 A 2.3 ± 0.11 A 0.32
Ca +2 (mg/dl) 20.1 ± .73 A 21 ± 1.17 A 0.58

-Number of animals in each group (5), Data reflected as Mean ± Standard Error (SE).

-The different capital letters indicate significant changes at (P ≤ 0.05) group variation.

2- Effect of Ivermectin on specific serum biochemical values in rabbits

The effects of ivermectin treatment on the values of some serum biochemicals are shown in ( Table 2). All biochemical concentrations increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the treatment groups compared to the control, except for a significant decrease in serum albumin concentration (P ≤ 0.05) and no significant changes in uric acid concentration.

Table 2. Effect of repeated administration of Ivermectin on specific serum biochemical (Glucose, Total protein, Albumin, Creatinine, Uric acid, Cholesterol, Triglyceride) values in male rabbits.

Parameters Control Ivermectin P-value
Glucose mg/dl 52 ± 3.0 B 75.6 ± 1.65 A 0.00021
Total protein g/dl 8.26 ± 0.17 B 11.2 ± 0.55 A 0.00082
Albumin g/dl 5.3 ± 0.3 A 3.4 ± 0.2 B 0.00039
Creatinine mg/dl 1.93 ± 0.25 B 3.1 ± 0.29 A 0.0116
Uric acid mg/dl 8.3 ± 0.2 A 8.24 ± 0.16 A 0.73
Cholesterol mg/dl 44.4 ± 1.8 B 69.8 ± 1.39 A 6.7 × 10 −6
Triglyceride mg/dl 46.2 ± 1.5 B 72.4 ± 1.4 A 2.8 × 10 −7

-Number of animals in each group (5), Data reflected as Mean ± Standard Error (SE).

-The different capital letters indicate significant changes at (P ≤ 0.05) group variation.

3- Effect of Ivermectin on particular serum oxidative stress and liver enzymes (ALT and AST) values in rabbits

Table 3 shows that ivermectin administration resulted in a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in MDA, AST, and ALT levels, as well as a decrease in GSH and superoxide dismutase activity in serum compared to the control group.

Table 3. Effect of repeated administration of Ivermectin on specific serum oxidative parameters (malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) values in male rabbits.

Parameters Control Ivermectin P-value
MDA (μmol/l) 8.11 ± 0.31 B 16.14 ± 0.8 A 1.2 × 10 −7
GSH (μmol/l) 14.2 ± 0.94 A 8.4 ± 1.8 B 0.0003
SOD (U/ml) 12 ± 0.83 A 7.4 ± 1.1 B 0.0062
AST (IU/l) 33.4 ± 0.49 B 38.2 ± 0.57 A 4.6 × 10 −5
ALT (IU/l) 14 ± 0.86 B 21.5 ± 0.93 A 3.5 × 10 −5

-Number of animals in each group (5), Data reflected as Mean ± Standard Error (SE).

-The different capital letters indicate significant changes at (P ≤ 0.05) variation between groups.

Discussion

Following repeated administration of ivermectin to rabbits, biochemical changes were observed may indicating liver and kidney dysfunction. Significant increases in serum sodium, potassium, chloride, and phosphate levels ( Table 1) may be due to changes in renal electrolyte handling and electrolyte disturbances. As a highly lipophilic compound, ivermectin accumulates in the liver and kidney, it can change the activity of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and transporters, which can result in changes to cellular homeostasis ( Rendic, 2021), This can lead to oxidative imbalance and changes in biochemical processes ( El-Far, 2013; Salman et al., 2022; Miranda et al., 2025).

Significant increases in serum glucose, creatinine, triglycerides, cholesterol and total protein after repeated ivermectin administration ( Table 2) suggest possible hepatic and renal functional alterations. Increase in creatinine, however, indicates impaired renal clearance. Furthermore, hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia may reflect disturbances in metabolic regulation and disturbances of both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism ( Abed and Al-Azawi, 2020; Cao et al., 2025). Reduced serum albumin may impaired hepatic synthetic function, which is consistent with the high liver enzymes observed below. In addition, metabolic disorders induced by ivermectin are possibly associated with altered cellular energy metabolism and by increased gluconeogenesis and lipolysis ( Wang et al., 2018).

In addition, ALT, AST and MDA levels increased significantly with a significant decrease in GSH and SOD activity ( Table 3), suggesting that ivermectin may be involved in oxidative stress as a major mechanism of cellular damage ( Wang et al., 2023). Increased MDA levels indicate increased lipid peroxidation, which reflects oxidative damage to membrane lipids. On the other hand, depletion of antioxidant parameters indicates that the endogenous antioxidant defenses may be compromised, potentially contributing to hepatocellular membrane instability and subsequent leakage of intracellular enzymes such as ALT and AST ( Abu Hafsa et al., 2021; Tang et al., 2022; El-Shobokshy et al., 2023). In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction, combined with a decrease in ATP production, increases oxidative stress, which may contribute to fuctional disturbances in hepatic and renal tissues ( Zhang et al., 2022).

The combination of prolonged oxidative stress and decreased liver and kidney function may contribute to progressive metabolic dysregulation. Electrolyte imbalance may reflect altered renal excretion or redistribution, including sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphate ions. These alterations may be associated with metabolic disturbances involving hepatic and renal function are due to hepatic injury, reduced albumin synthesis and impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, all of which are due to long-term oxidative stress. This oxidative imbalance may be related to repeated ivermectin exposure, followed by excessive formation of ROS and eventual exhaustion of antioxidant protection. This pattern is consistent with previous studies in mammals of oxidative and metabolic stress induced by ivermectin ( Tawfeek et al., 2021; Salman et al., 2022; El-Shobokshy et al., 2023; Ali et al., 2025).

Conclusion

In summary, this study demonstrates biochemical alterations associated with repeated ivermectin exposure in rabbits. Repeated ivermectin exposure may be associated with oxidative stress and possible mitochondrial, which may contribute to biochemical disturbances, altered renal function, and electrolyte imbalance. These findings suggest that even therapeutic or prolonged exposure may be associated with concurrent hepatic and renal functional disturbances.

Ethical considerations

This study was conducted in full compliance with the ethical guidelines approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Fallujah (Approval No. 6; 13/10/2025), https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17832715. ( Saud et al., 2025).

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the study staff as well as the study participants.

Funding Statement

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.

[version 2; peer review: 2 approved

Data availability

Underlying data Zenodo: Dataset for the Ivermectin Study in Rabbits (2025). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17832715.( Saud et al., 2025).

Arrive checklist: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17832715 ( Saud et al., 2025).

Data are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC-BY 4.0).

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F1000Res. 2026 Jun 23. doi: 10.5256/f1000research.202254.r491108

Reviewer response for version 2

Dina S Dheyab 1

The research is very good scientifically, but some aspects need strengthening the language with certain terminology. I recommend accepting the research. Thank you.

Strengths of the study

  1. The study investigates an important issue: repeated administration of ivermectin, not just a single dose.

  2. It includes a wide range of parameters, such as:
    • Electrolytes
    • Biochemical profile
    • Oxidative stress markers
    • Liver enzyme activity
  3. The dose used (0.25 mg/kg) is within a therapeutic range, making the findings more relevant to real veterinary practice.

Methodological and scientific limitations

1. Very small sample size

  • Only 10 rabbits were used in total.

  • This greatly reduces statistical power and increases the risk that results are influenced by individual variability.

2. Lack of intermediate measurements

  • Blood samples were taken only at the end of the experiment.

  • Therefore, it is unclear:
    • When the changes started
    • Whether they were progressive or temporary
    • Whether the effects were reversible

3. Short duration of the study

  • The experiment lasted only 30 days.

  • This is insufficient to assess long-term or chronic toxicity.

4. No histopathological examination

  • The study suggests possible liver and kidney damage based on ALT, AST, and creatinine levels.

  • However, there is no tissue-level confirmation (no liver or kidney histology

5.Weak explanation of electrolyte disturbances

  • Significant changes in Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, and phosphate were reported.

  • However, the study provides limited mechanistic explanation for these disturbances.

6.No dose–response design

  • Only one dose level was tested.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes

If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes

Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes

Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes

Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Yes

Reviewer Expertise:

endocrine disorders single-cell technologies

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

F1000Res. 2026 Jun 23. doi: 10.5256/f1000research.202254.r491113

Reviewer response for version 2

Ali Mosa Rashid Al-Yasari 1

Your Report

General Evaluation

The manuscript investigates the physiological, biochemical, and oxidative stress impacts of repeated therapeutic subcutaneous administrations of ivermectin (0.25 mg/kg} weekly for 4 weeks) in male rabbits. Given the ubiquitous use of ivermectin in veterinary medicine for treating conditions like sarcoptic mange, evaluating subclinical toxicities associated with repeated exposure is highly relevant.  

The authors have visibly addressed several structural shortcomings from Version 1 by organizing the methodology with better kit descriptions and clarifying group numbers (n=5). However, critical scientific gaps, contradictions within the text, and reporting vulnerabilities remain in this revised version. Notably, the manuscript still claims to evaluate "physiological" responses, yet it only reports serum biochemical data. Additionally, there are major discrepancies in statistical parameter reporting and questionable physiological baselines that require thorough rectification before approval.  

Major Comments

1. Misalignment of Title/Objectives with Results (Missing Physiological Data):

The title and objectives explicitly promise an evaluation of physiological responses. True physiological data typically include clinical signs, body weight changes, feed/water intake, fecal output, or vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiration rate). The results presented are exclusively biochemical endpoint markers from serum. The authors must either supply the missing clinical/physiological data or remove "Physiological" from the title and text to avoid misleading the reader.  

2. Inconsistencies in Methodological Terminology & Blinding:

 In the Material and Methods section, the authors state: "Independent two-sample t-test was used to evaluate differences between the occlusion and control groups." The term "occlusion group" is highly confusing contextually. It appears to be a copy-paste or translation error for the "ivermectin-treated group". This must be corrected to maintain professional clarity.  

 There is no mention of whether sample analysis or data handling was blinded. Given the small sample size (n=5 per group), bias control is crucial.  

3. Statistical Reporting and Logical Errors:

4. Biochemical and Physiological Implausibility:

If total protein rises drastically while albumin plummets, it implies an immense, unaddressed spike in the globulin fraction. The authors completely ignore this dynamic in the discussion. What is driving this massive globulin increase? Is it an acute phase inflammatory response, or severe hemoconcentration/dehydration? This needs profound biochemical interpretation.  

Minor Comments

1. Typographical and Grammatical Errors:

 Material and Methods (Paragraph 1): The sentence fragment "...to minimize handling stress and achieve full acclimatization to the laboratory environment." is accidentally duplicated back-to-back at the end of the paragraph. Please excise the duplicate text.  

 Introduction (Paragraph 1): Typo in "Its antiparasitic activity is primarily mediatrd through...". Correct "mediatrd" to "mediated".  

 Discussion (Paragraph 2): Grammatical error in "Reduced serum albumin may impaired hepatic synthetic function...". Change to "Reduced serum albumin may indicate impaired hepatic synthetic function..." or "...may impair...".  

2. Incomplete Manufacturer Data:

In the Material and Methods section, the colorimetric kits are cited with manufacturers and cities. Please provide the full formal corporate names, specific catalog numbers if available, and complete locations (City, Country) for all diagnostic test kits to maximize transparency and reproducibility.  

3. Units Format Consistency:

Ensure standard scientific formatting is used uniformly across all tables. 

Conclusion

This manuscript provides practical insights into the subclinical biochemistry profiles of ivermectin overuse. However, it requires a Moderate-to-Major Revision to eliminate textual errors, reconcile highly unusual reference baselines, and properly align the stated physiological scope with the purely biochemical results presented.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Partly

If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Partly

Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Partly

Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes

Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

No

Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Partly

Reviewer Expertise:

Biochemistry

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above.

F1000Res. 2026 Jun 15. doi: 10.5256/f1000research.202254.r491109

Reviewer response for version 2

Mohammed Hayder Asker 1

Peer Review Report

Summary of the Article

The manuscript entitled “Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Repeated Administration of Ivermectin in Rabbits” investigates the physiological and biochemical effects associated with repeated ivermectin administration in rabbits. The study evaluates changes in selected hematological, biochemical, and physiological parameters to assess the potential impact and safety profile of repeated ivermectin exposure. The topic is relevant due to the widespread use of ivermectin in veterinary medicine and the need to better understand its effects following repeated administration.

Overall Assessment

The manuscript addresses an important veterinary and pharmacological topic. The study is generally well designed, and the findings contribute useful information regarding the physiological and biochemical responses of rabbits to repeated ivermectin treatment. The manuscript is clearly written and presents results that may be valuable for researchers and veterinary practitioners.

Major Comments

The study addresses a relevant scientific question and provides data that may contribute to understanding the safety and biological effects of repeated ivermectin administration.

The experimental design appears appropriate for the objectives of the study. However, the authors may further strengthen the manuscript by providing additional discussion comparing their findings with those reported in previous studies.

The discussion section could be expanded to better explain the physiological mechanisms responsible for the observed changes in the measured parameters.

The authors should clearly highlight the practical implications of their findings for veterinary practice and future research.

Minor Comments

Some grammatical and stylistic revisions would improve readability.

The manuscript would benefit from a more detailed description of certain methodological procedures to enhance reproducibility.

Ensure that all abbreviations are defined at their first appearance in the text.

A careful review of formatting and reference style is recommended.

Strengths

The study investigates a topic of practical veterinary importance.

Appropriate physiological and biochemical parameters were evaluated.

The manuscript is generally well organized and easy to follow.

The findings provide useful information regarding repeated ivermectin administration in rabbits.

Weaknesses

The discussion could provide deeper interpretation of the biological significance of the findings.

Additional comparison with recent literature would strengthen the conclusions.

Some methodological details may require further clarification.

Recommendation

Approved

The manuscript is scientifically sound and suitable for indexing after consideration of the minor comments above.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes

If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes

Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes

Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes

Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Yes

Reviewer Expertise:

animal physiology

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

F1000Res. 2026 Apr 8. doi: 10.5256/f1000research.192094.r470683

Reviewer response for version 1

Oscar Vivanco-Galván 1

General Comments

The manuscript addresses an interesting and relevant topic, particularly considering the widespread use of ivermectin as a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent in animals. However, the potential effects of continuous or repeated dosing on organismal health remain insufficiently understood, which makes this study potentially valuable.

Despite this, the manuscript requires substantial improvement in terms of clarity, structure, methodological detail, and scientific depth before it can be considered for publication.

Specific Comments

Introduction

The Introduction is currently too general and lacks sufficient focus on the specific research problem. The authors are encouraged to:

  • Expand the background on the use of ivermectin in rabbits, highlighting existing knowledge gaps.

  • Provide a more detailed overview of the physiological and biochemical effects of ivermectin, including known dose-dependent responses.

  • Ensure alignment between the title, objectives, and methodological approach, particularly regarding physiological and biochemical evaluations.

  • Clearly and explicitly state the objectives and/or hypotheses of the study.

Methodology

The Methods section lacks clarity and organization and should be substantially revised:

  • Structure the section using clear subheadings, such as:
    • Biological material
    • Experimental design
    • Experimental conditions
    • Statistical analysis
  • The manuscript does not specify the number of animals used in the experimental and control groups, which is a critical omission.

  • The description of procedures should be improved for clarity and correctness. For example:

    “The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum, which was subsequently stored at −20 °C until analysis.”

Results

The study claims to evaluate physiological responses, yet these data are not clearly presented or are missing. The authors should:

  • Ensure that all variables described in the objectives and methods are fully reported in the Results section.

  • Present physiological data (if collected) in a clear and structured manner, including appropriate statistical analysis.

Discussion

The Discussion requires significant improvement and deeper scientific interpretation:

  • The section currently focuses mainly on reporting results rather than interpreting them in the context of existing literature.

  • The authors should incorporate and compare their findings with previous studies in other experimental species.

  • Provide a structured discussion addressing:
    • Serum electrolyte levels
    • Biochemical parameters
    • Oxidative stress markers
    • Liver enzyme activity
  • Each variable should be discussed in relation to known physiological mechanisms and potential effects of ivermectin.

Final Recommendation

The manuscript has potential but requires major revision. The authors should:

  • Improve the overall quality of scientific writing.

  • Provide missing methodological details.

  • Strengthen the Discussion with critical analysis and literature support.

  • Include additional relevant references to contextualize the findings.

Only after substantial revision and clarification of these aspects can the manuscript be adequately evaluated for indexing.

Reviewer Expertise:

NA

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above.

F1000Res. 2026 May 21.
Sabea Abed 1

Dear Oscar Vivanco-Galván,

We sincerely appreciate your valuable comments and constructive suggestions regarding our manuscript. All comments have been carefully considered, and substantial revisions have been made throughout the manuscript to improve its scientific quality, clarity, organization, and methodological accuracy.

The Introduction section has been extensively revised to provide a more focused background on ivermectin use in rabbits, its physiological and biochemical effects, existing knowledge gaps, and the specific objectives of the study.

The Materials and Methods section has been reorganized using clear subheadings, including biological materials, experimental design, experimental conditions, and statistical analysis. Additional methodological details were added, including the number of animals in each group, sample processing procedures, and statistical methods.

The Results section has been revised to ensure that all measured variables are clearly presented with appropriate statistical analysis and improved table organization.

The Discussion section has been substantially expanded and restructured to provide deeper scientific interpretation of the findings in relation to previous studies and known physiological mechanisms, particularly regarding electrolyte disturbances, biochemical alterations, oxidative stress markers, and liver enzyme activity.

In addition, the manuscript has undergone comprehensive language editing and scientific revision to improve clarity and consistency throughout the text.

We are grateful for your insightful comments, which significantly improved the quality of the manuscript.

Sincerely        ,

Sabea Khamees Abed

Associated Data

    This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

    Data Citations

    1. Saud MA, Abed SK, Shahooth MA, et al. : Dataset for the Ivermectin Study in Rabbits (2025). Zenodo. 2025. 10.5281/zenodo.17832715 [DOI]

    Data Availability Statement

    Underlying data Zenodo: Dataset for the Ivermectin Study in Rabbits (2025). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17832715.( Saud et al., 2025).

    Arrive checklist: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17832715 ( Saud et al., 2025).

    Data are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC-BY 4.0).


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