Teratogenic effects of abamectin in rats

The teratogenic effects of abamectin pesticide on pregnant rats were studied following oral administration of 2.85, 1.42 and 0.72 mg/Kg bw [1/10, 1/20 and 1/40 of the oral LD[50], respectively] during the organogenesis period. Treatment with abamectin did not influence the reproductive status [number of uterine implants, resorptions, live and dead fetuses per litter] at all dosage levels. However, it caused significant increase in the percentages of morphological, visceral and skeletal malformations in rat fetuses on exposure to the two high doses compared to control. In addition, abamectin induced different pathological alterations in the placentae and fetal organs in a dose-related manner