[Effects of an organophosphorous pesticide, dichlorvos, on germ cells of the undifferentiated gonads of young quail embryos].

In quail embryos, issued from eggs injected, before incubation, with oil solution of DDVP, the germ population was strongly reducted. However, at the 24 stage of embryonic development, the germ deficit is lower than at older stage (29). This deficit may be due to an inhibition of their gonadic colonizing capacity and an excessive rate of cell death.