Effects on the fetus of maternal benomyl exposure in the protein-deprived rat.

Abstract

The separate and combined effects of protein deprivation and benomyl [(methyl 1-butylcarbomoyl)-2-benzimidazole carbamate] exposure were studied in the pregnant rat fed a diet containing 24% (control) or 8% (deficient) casein throughout gestation. Within each diet group, subgroups were gavaged at 31.2 mg/kg body weight with benomyl or corn-oil carrier only on d 7-16 or 7-21 of gestation. No effects on the skeleton were seen. Benomyl exposure in the last 2 wk in dams fed the 24% casein diet resulted in a high incidence of fetal brain anomalies. This effect did not occur in those with benomyl exposure during the period of organogenesis only and was reduced in groups fed the protein-deficient diet. Exposure to benomyl in the last 2 wk in the protein-deprived rat resulted in a decrease in the weight of the fetal heart in excess of that attributable to diet alone. Lungs were a smaller portion of body weight in fetuses of benomyl-treated dams in both diet groups. The teratogenic effect on the brain in animals exposed to benomyl in wk 2 and 3 of gestation suggests that screening for teratogenic effects during organogenesis only may be insufficient.

• Authors: F J Zeman, E R Hoogenboom, R J Kavlock, J L Semple
• Journal: Journal of toxicology and environmental health (J Toxicol Environ Health) Vol. 17 Issue 4 Pg. 405-17 ( 1986) ISSN: 0098-4108 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3959120 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carbamates
• Caseins
• Teratogens
• Benomyl

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Analysis of Variance
• Animals
• Benomyl (toxicity)
• Birth Weight
• Brain (abnormalities)
• Carbamates (toxicity)
• Caseins (deficiency)
• Female
• Fetus (drug effects)
• Gestational Age
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange
• Organ Size
• Pregnancy
• Protein Deficiency (metabolism)
• Rats
• Teratogens