Embryolethal and teratogenic effects of bromofenofos in rats

Bromofenofos, an organophosphorus anthelmintic, was administered by gavage to rats as a single dose (50 mg/kg) on one of days 6 through 14 of pregnancy. The dams were killed on day 21, and the fetuses were removed, weighed and examined by routine teratological methods. A significant increase in fetal resorptions occurred after administration on days 9 through 13, with a maximum on day 10. Approximately 72% of the implants were resorbed after administration on day 10. Fetal body weights were significantly decreased when dams were treated on day 8 or later. The greatest decrease in fetal body weights was observed on day 10, when the fetuses weighed less than the controls by about 44% on the average. The incidence of fetuses with gross, skeletal and internal malformations was significantly increased on days 8 through 10, on days 8 through 11 and on days 8 and 9, respectively. Although various types of malformations were observed, most of them occurred on day 8, when no significant increase in fetal resorptions did occur. Cleft lip, short tail, brachygnathia, anal atresia, absence of genital tubercle, fused pelvic legs and perineal testicles were seen on day 8 as gross malformations. Skeletal malformations mainly affected the vertebrae and ribs. Major internal malformations on day 8 were hydronephrosis, hydroureter, anophthalmia, cleft palate, agenesis of the bladder and renal agenesis. Anophthalmia and/or microphthalmia were observed on days 8 through 10, with the highest incidence on day 9. To further determine the no-effect levels for embryolethal and teratogenic effects, a single dose of 10, 20, 30 or 40 mg/kg was administered by gavage to rats on days 8 or 10 of pregnancy. The no-effect levels of single oral dose for embryolethal and teratogenic effects were considered to be 40 and 30 mg/kg, respectively.