Effect of Organic Phosphorus Compounds and Alkylating Agents on the Rat Fetus

Abstract

The effects of parathion, dichlorvos, diazinon, malathion, apholate, and tepa on the rat fetus were studied when the material was given intraperitoneally. At levels producing toxic symptoms in the dams, parathion, dichlorvos, diazinon, apholate, and tepa were found to affect the fetus either by causing malformations, resorptions, or reducing the weight of the fetus and placenta. Malathion at toxic dosage levels neither affected the weight of the fetus nor produced malformations. At dosage levels which were tolerated by the dams, parathion, diazinon, and tepa caused a great number of resorptions. The incidence of resorptions was not higher than that of the controls in rats that had been given dichlorvos, malathion, or apholate.