Table 2.

Hyperpigmentation involves VMAT function

Embryos were exposed to either 1 μM ivermectin, 100 μM reserpine (a VMAT antagonist). or a combination of both agents from stage 10 to 46 (from gastrulation to organogenesis). Ivermectin exposure alone resulted in a high incidence of hyperpigmentation, not seen in control embryos. Concurrent exposure to ivermectin and reserpine significantly reduced the rate of ivermectin-induced hyperpigmentation.

	Control	Ivermectin	Reserpine	Ivermectin + Reserpine
Normally-pigmented tadpoles	124	5	46	16
Hyperpigmented tadpoles	1	97	0	54
% hyperpigmented	0.8%	95.1%	0%	77.1%*
n	125	102	46	70

^*p<0.01 compared to ivermectin treatment alone, students t-test.