Teratological Effects of Chlorpyrifos on Crown Rump Length and Weight of Developing Mice

An organophosphorus insecticide, chlorpyrifos was tested for the embryotoxicity and teratogenecity in mice. Different sublethal doses of the insecticide i.e. 20, 40, 60 and 80ug/gm body weight were prepared by dissolving it in corn oil in such a way that each 0.1ml of the solution contains desired concentration. The doses were given orally on day 6 of gestation to different experimental groups. The embryos were recovered on day 15 of gestation. A significant decrease in body weight and crown rump length of embryos was noted. Comparatively higher doses proved more toxic and also caused many developmental defects. it is concluded that chlorpyrifos is toxic to developing embryos, especially in the quantities used in this study..