Assessment of teratogenic potential of trichlorfon in mice and rats.

Trichlorfon was evaluated for its teratogenic potential in the CD-1 mouse at doses of 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg/day administered by gavage on days 7-16 of gestation. In the CD-1 mouse, TCF was teratogenic, fetotoxic and lethal at the two highest dose levels which were also maternally lethal. At the lowest dose level which was not maternally lethal, there was a significant decrease in the number of calcified centers in the forepaws and hindpaws indicating fetotoxicity and a delay in maturation. TCF was administered at doses of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg/day to CD rats by gavage on gestational days 7-19 (study I) or 8-20 (study II). In the CD rat in body study I and II, the highest dose level was maternally lethal. In study I, TCF was teratogenic with a shift in rib profile. In study II, TCF was teratogenic with an increased incidence in malformations of the urinary system. Additionally, TCF was fetotoxic with reduced ossification of the skulls at the lowest and highest dose levels.