Teratological examination of the insecticide methylparathion (Wofatox 50 EC) on pheasant embryos. 1. Morphological study.

Teratogenic effects of methylparathion / Wofatox 50 EC/ and Parathion 20 WP as positive control material were tested in pheasant embryos. On the 12th day of incubation 0.1 ml of the emulsions or suspensions of the insecticides at different concentrations was inoculated into the air space of embryonated eggs. The following dose levels were employed: 27 and 270 mg/kg egg of Wofatox 50 EC, and 10 mg/kg of Parathion 20 WP. Morphological changes were evaluated by macroscopic, skeletal staining and light microscopic examinations of the embryos. Primary hypoplasia or atrophy developed in the cervical musculature /m. longus colli/ accompanied by lordosis and scoliosis of the cervical spine. In most cases we also found cyllosis .