[Cholinesterase activity and expression of axial teratogenesis in quail embryo exposed to organophosphates]

The expression of the axial terotogenesis and the cholinesterasic activities have been studied simultaneously in the Quail embryo. High concentration of malathion (1 000 microgram) slightly reduces the cholinesterasic activities and does not produce morphogenetic disturbance. Bidrin (250 microgram) and parathion (100 microgram), strongly inhibit the cholinesterasic activities producing drastic axial deformities. The use of graduated concentrations of parathion shows that these axial abnormalities take place with a high level of cholinesterase inhibition. With organophosphorus, there is a good correlation between the axial teratogenesis and the cholinesterase inactivation.