Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2026

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats
11:01

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

Published on: December 14, 2014

Embryotoxicity and neurotoxicity in rats associated with prenatal exposure to DURSBAN

M A Muto1, F Lobelle, J H Bidanset

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, St John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439.

Veterinary and Human Toxicology
|December 11, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal exposure to DURSBAN (chlorpyrifos) caused physical abnormalities and embryotoxicity in rats. This insecticide also induced significant behavioral neurotoxicity in rat pups, suggesting developmental risks.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Developmental Neurobiology
  • Pesticide Safety

Background:

  • DURSBAN, containing chlorpyrifos, is a widely used organophosphate insecticide.
  • Organophosphates are known for their neurotoxic potential, raising concerns about developmental effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the teratogenic and neurotoxic potential of DURSBAN (chlorpyrifos) in developing rats.
  • To assess the impact of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to chlorpyrifos on physical development and behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Rat embryos were exposed prenatally to chlorpyrifos on days 0-7 or 7-21 of gestation.
  • Rat pups were exposed to chlorpyrifos on postnatal days 3, 10, or 12.
  • Physical abnormalities, embryotoxicity, and behavioral neurotoxicity (rotorod test) were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal chlorpyrifos exposure induced physical abnormalities and embryotoxicity.
  • Significant behavioral neurotoxicity was observed in rat pups exposed prenatally (0.3 mg/kg) on postnatal day 16.
  • Postnatal exposure to chlorpyrifos also resulted in neurotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal exposure to DURSBAN (chlorpyrifos) is associated with embryotoxicity and fetal lethality.
  • Developmental exposure to chlorpyrifos can lead to behavioral neurotoxicity.
  • These findings highlight potential risks of low-concentration developmental exposure to this insecticide.

More Related Videos

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Using Chicken Embryo as a Powerful Tool in Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxicities11:00

Using Chicken Embryo as a Powerful Tool in Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxicities

Published on: March 21, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Toxicity Testing in Animals01:23

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...