Embryolethal and teratogenic effects of carbendazim in rats

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of prenatal development of rats. Females were exposed to carbendazim by gavage every day on days 6-15 of gestation at doses 8, 35, 160 mg/kg b.w. Carbendazim administered at doses of 35 and 160 mg/kg was associated with significant maternal toxicity, embryonal lethality, congenital defects, and retarded fetal development. It produced encephalocele, umbilical hernia, missing or shorter tail, and internal malformations of brain, kidneys, and skeletal malformations of ribs, arch, and vertebrae. NOEL for the dam and fetus in our study was 8 mg/kg/day.