Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity from Organophosphorus Pesticide Formulations: Litter Size and Low Fetal Weight

Abstract

We investigated the reproductive outcome in mouse dams and their pre-partum litters following exposure to a mixture of organophosphorus pesticides during the critical period of embryo development. Pregnant mice were given a specifically prepared mixture of organophosphorus pesticides in corn oil by gavage on either the seventh or the eighth gestation days at either low (3% LD50) or high (30% LD50) dose. The dams were sacrificed per-partum by cervical dislocation. The uterus was exposed and the embryos were collected, counted, and weighed, and the number of resorptions was recorded. Low dose exposure on the seventh gestation day produced significantly lower fetal weights, but the numbers of implantations, live fetuses, resorptions and litters with one or more post-implantation losses were significantly higher compared with the control and reference groups. The pattern was similar for low-dose gestation day eight exposures. High dose exposure on the seventh or eighth gestation day produced lower fetal weights and bigger litter sizes and a higher percentage of resorptions, and litters with one or more post-implantation losses when compared with the reference group. Generally, live litter sizes, implantations, percentage resorptions, and percent litters with one or more post-implantation losses had increased and fetal weights and maternal weight gains had decreased at both low and high dose exposures when compared with the reference group. Mixture of cholinesterase-inhibiting organophosphorus-pesticide formulation adversely affected embryogenesis in mice which could have implications for susceptible population from occupational and environmental exposures.

Full article can be found in: Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health
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