Teratolog1cal study of malathion in the rabbit

Abstract

There has been much debate concerning the teratogenic potential of the organophosphate pesticides, including malathion, although few experimental studies have been performed on mammals. This study was designed to expand the range of animal species used in the testing of malathion and to further evaluate malathion's teratogenic potential. A 100‐mg/kg dose regimen from d 7 to d 12 of gestation was administered to New Zealand white rabbits. This produced no detectable differences in the number of resorptions, fetal size, and external or visceral anomalies between the treated and control groups. This suggests, as has been previously reported, that malathion has little or no teratogenic potential in the mammal.