Inhibitory effects of benomyl and carbendazim on the [3H]thymidine incorporation in various organs of the mouse--evidence for a more pronounced action of benomyl.

The benzimidazole fungicides benomyl and carbendazim were compared with regard to effects on [3H]thymidine incorporation in various organs of male mice given the compounds orally at various time intervals before sacrifice. Since carbendazim is a major metabolite of benomyl, it is generally assumed that the fungicidal action and toxicity of these compounds are due to the action of carbendazim. However, whereas benomyl inhibited the [3H]thymidine incorporation into thymus, spleen, liver, kidney and testis, an equimolar amount (3.4 mmol/kg body wt) of carbendazim induced a similar effect only in testis.