Fetotoxic and teratogenic potential of substituted phenylurea herbicide, isoproturon, in rats.

ABSTRACT

Effect of isoproturon (0.225, 0.45 and 0.90 g/kg/day) administered (po) from day 6 through 15 of gestation was studied on pregnant rats and their offsprings. There were no distinct clinical signs other than dose-related depression and drowsiness of pregnant rats. None of the animals died due to toxicity of isoproturon. At higher doses, decreased maternal body weight was observed during the advanced stage of pregnancy. The litter size, fetal weight and crown-rump and transumbilical lengths were decreased. There was increase in fetal resorption frequency and the number of fetuses with stunted growth. The compound had no effect on fetal sex ratio. No major visceral and skeletal malformations were observed. The study indicates fetotoxic potential of the compound.