Mutagenicity studies with safrotin in Drosophila melanogaster and mice

The mutagenicity of Safrotin [(E)-0-2-isopropoxy carbonyl-1-methyl vinyl O-methyl ethyl phosphoramidothioate] an organophosphorus insecticide was analyzed in Drosophila melanogaster and mice. Sex-linked recessive lethals and II-III translocations were scored in Drosophila while in mice as per in vivo test methods micronucleus test chromosomal aberrations and a sperm morphology assay were made. Different concentrations of the chemical were administered to D. melanogaster by adult and larval feeding and to mice by oral intubation. In the Drosophila test system the investigation yielded negative results revealing the nonmutagenic activity of the insecticide while a weak mutagenic activity was noticed in the mouse test system.