Teratological evaluation of orthophenylphenol in rats

Abstract

Orthophenylphenol (OPP), an antimicrobial used as a chemical disinfectant and for post-harvest preservation of fruits and vegetables, was evaluated for embryotoxic and teratogenic potential in rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered 0, 100, 300, or 700 mg/kg/day of OPP by gavage on gestation days 6 through 15. Evidence of maternal toxicity was observed among animals given 700 mg OPP/kg/day; pregnant rats in this group weighed less than controls during the period of dosage and gained less weight as compared to controls during the first four days of treatment. Increases in the incidences of two minor skeletal variants were the only effects observed among fetuses from rats given 700 mg/kg/day of OPP. No adverse effects on embryonal or fetal development were observed among litters from rats given 100 or 300 mg OPP/kg/day. Orthophenylphenol was not embryotoxic or teratogenic in rats at dose levels up to 700 mg/kg/day.