Studies on the genotoxicity of endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide, in mammalian germ cells.

The genotoxic potential of endosulfan was assessed in mouse germ cells by 2 in vivo tests: the dominant lethal and the sperm shape abnormality test. At higher doses, endosulfan induced dominant lethal mutations in one mating interval (36-42 days) post treatment. A statistically significant dose-dependent increase in sperm abnormalities was observed with endosulfan treatment. At high doses the sperm count decreased up to 39%. No change in sperm motility was observed at any dose level. On the basis of the present in vivo results, it appears that endosulfan has a damaging effect on spermatogonial cells as well as on sperm morphology.