Dipterex teratogenicity in the rat, hamster, and mouse when given by gavage

Dipterex was teratogenic after administration by gavage (t.i.d.) at a dose level of 480 mg/kg-day to the CD rat on days 6 through 15 of gestation, but not when administered only on days 8 or 10 of gestation. A positive teratogenic response also occurred in the hamster after administration on days 7 through 11 of gestation at 400 mg/kg-day; the apparent no-effect level for the criteria studied was 200 mg/kg-day. Embryotoxicity, but not teratogenicity, occurred after administration at 400 mg/kg-day on day 8 of gestation. In both species, the teratogenicity seen was not merely due to reduced maternal food consumption during the period of exposure. The mouse was less susceptible to Dipterex than were the rat and hamster, but a significant increase in the incidence of cleft palates resulted from exposure on days 10 through 14, or on days 12 through 14 of gestation.