FETOTOXICITY AND CATARACTOGENICITY OF MIREX IN RATS AND MICE WITH NOTES ON KEPONE

The fetotoxic potential of mirex in the rat and the cataractogenic potential of mirex and Kepone in the rat and mouse have been studied. Signs of fetal toxicity including edema, undescended testes, and reduced weight were seen in litters of CD rats treated with 7 mg/kg/day of mirex on Days 7-16 of gestation. The postpartum administration of mirex to both rat and mouse dams resulted in dose-related incidences of irreversible cataracts. Outlined lenses were also noted in pups in treated litters. A total dose of 10 mg/kg mirex administered either singly or over 4 days during the first week after birth was cataractogenic in both albino (CD, Sherman strains) and nonalbino (Long-Evans) rats. A total dose of 12 mg/kg was cataractogenic in the CD-1 mouse. Cataracts were present by Day 13 (eye-opening) in the rat pups and generally appeared after Day 20 in the mouse. The maternal administration of mirex also resulted in dose-related decreases in weight and viability in their litters. The postpartum administration of Kepone to maternal rats and mice did not result in any alterations in the lenses of the pups. © 1979.