Toxicity of organotin compounds in chicken and rats

Di-methyltin-dichloride (DMTC), di-butyltin-dichloride (DBTC), di-octyltin-dichloride (DOTC) and two commercial products (CP 1, CP 2) used as stabilizers in plastics induce a dose-related decrease of the thymus weight in young rats when given by gastric intubation for 10 or 14 days; in the chicken a decrease of the bursa Fabricii weight can also be observed. It is of interest, that there are distinct differences in response between the animal species. The sensitivity in acute toxicity tests does not correspond with the sensitivity of thymus and bursa Fabricii. The response is also dependent on the vehicle in which the agent is given.