The effect of lindane formulations on tissue residues in barrows and on stillbirths in sows.

The potential effect of lindane and its formulations on stillbirths and abortion in pregnant sows was investigated. One of four formulations of lindane were applied at five times the registered dosage to each of ten sows within two weeks of farrowing. Each animal received 5 g of lindane. Formulations included: 1) a wettable powder diluted in water, 2) emulsifiable concentrate (EC) in xylene diluted with water, 3) an emulsifiable concentrate with heavy aromatic naptha diluted with mineral oil and 4) an emulsifiable concentrate ready-to-use mineral oil concentration. Number of stillbirths were not increased in the sows and signs of toxicity were not observed.Three barrows, for each formulation, were sprayed at three times the registered dosage (1.3 g/animal) and slaughtered 24 hours later to determine if increased absorption and residues of lindane were associated with different formulations. Residues of lindane in skin, fat, back meat, brain and liver were consistently higher in those animals sprayed with the water based formulations than with oil-based formulations.