Oral exposure of mice to formulations of organophosphorous pesticides: gestational and litter outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine gestational and litter outcomes in mice models from oral exposure to a mixture of formulations of organophosphorous pesticides used in local vegetable production. Male and female mice were exposed to premating and preconception, respectively, to a mixture of organophosphorous pesticide formulations for a period of 7 weeks. The pregnant dams were monitored during gestation and delivered by Caesarean section pre-partum. The percentages of resorptions and the resorptions/implantations ratios, in all the exposed groups, were significantly higher than the reference and the control groups. Percentages of litters with one or more lost embryos were observed in all the exposed groups and were significantly higher than the comparison groups. Fetal weights were significantly lower and the maternal weight gains per live fetus were significantly higher in the medium-dose-exposed groups than the control group. Percentages of fetuses with intra-uterine growth retardation at one standard deviation were significantly higher in all the exposed groups than the comparison groups.

Keywords:

• reproductive toxicity
• organophosphorous pesticide formulations
• fetal weight
• resorptions and maternal weight gain

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge funding and animal resources provided by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, UAE. We also greatly appreciate technical support provided by Mr Mohamed Shafiullah for caring for the animals and by Mr S.V. Anilal for dosing the animals and recording the observations. We also thank Dr R. Padmanabhan for his expert advice in developing the protocol for these experiments.