Effects of synthetic pyrethroids on mammalian chromosomes. I. Sumicidin

Sumicidin, a fenvalerate type of synthetic pyrethroid, is used as an alternative for classical insecticides. When force-fed in low doses daily over a long period (21 days) to Rattus norvegicus, in vivo, chromosomal aberrations and alterations in the mitotic index were induced. Its cumulative effect in vivo is both dose- and time-dependent and is more drastic on the spindle mechanism, possibly owing to progressive detoxication into more active compounds.