Teratogenic Effect of the Coumarinic Anticoagulant Rodenticide, Racumin in White Rats

The present study gives an overview of the in utero exposure of the developing rat fetus to Racumin rodenticide. In the current investigation, pregnant rats were exposed orally to either 1.65 or 0.83 mg/kg b.wt (1/10 and 1/20 LD50, respectively) of coumatetralyl daily on days 6 through 15 of gestation (organogenesis period). Maternal and fetal parameters were evaluated on day 20 of gestation. Fetuses were weighed and examined for external, visceral and skeletal malformations. Exposure to this rodenticide at the two tested doses significantly increased the number of resorption and implantation sites (post implantation loss), dead fetuses' number per dam and placental weights. The number of live fetuses per dam and the fetal body weight were significantly reduced in the treated group at 1.65 mg/kg b.wt.when compared to the other treated and control groups. Gross examination of the fetuses from Racumin treated dams' at both doses revealed significant incidences of dwarfism, subcutaneous hemorrhages, generalized subcutaneous edema and micrognathia. Racumin significantly increased the total fetuses with visceral and skeletal anomalies in a dose – dependent manner compared to the control. The major anomalies recorded were intrathoracic hemorrhage, hydrocephaly, heart and lung hypoplasia, anophthalmia, incomplete ossification of skull, sternebrae and coccygeal vertebrae. It could be concluded that Racumin has a dose – dependent teratogenic potential in rats.