Teratogenicity and developmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, was evaluated for potential teratogenicity and developmental toxicity in mice. Pregnant females were given a single intraperitoneal injection (40 or 80 mg/kg) on day 10 of gestation and fetuses were evaluated on gestation day 17. At 80 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos treatment resulted in a significant reduction in numbers of live fetuses, and increase in resorptions, versus control litters. There was no indication of maternal toxicity. External and skeletal malformations were observed at 80 mg/kg, but not 40 mg/kg. Rates of fetuses with cleft palate increased significantly (p < 0.05) following 80 mg/kg chlorpyrifos (5.97%) versus control litters (0.97%). Similarly, the absence of thoracic vertebrae was increased and the number of caudal vertebrae was significantly decreased. It is suggested that chlorpyrifos is teratogenic and embryotoxic in mice at doses below those that cause significant maternal toxicity.