[Prevention of abnormalities induced by 2 organophosphate insecticides (parathion and bidrin) in quail embryos].

When Quail embryos, injected with bidrin at the unincubated stage, are treated with nicotinamide, beak and leg abnormalities are prevented, but niacin has no beneficial effect on the axial deformities caused by both parathion and bidrin. In contrast, vertebral defects are greatly reduced by giving pralidoxim, an antidote known and used in organophosphorus intoxications. But this compound has no effect on beak and leg damage caused by bidrin. Two other cholinesterase reactivators, diacetylmonoxime and monoisonitrosoacetone have any effect on organophosphorus abnormalities and have no antiteratogenic action either on the beak and legs or on the vertebral column. From these observations the multiple causes of teratogenic effects induced by organophosphorus compounds are evident. Both aspects of teratogenesis, one related to the nicotinamide level, and the other related to the physiology of the cholinergic system are discussed.