The comparison of teratogenic and carcinogenic effects of some carbamate compounds.

Ethyl carbamate and a series of related compounds were given in single intraperitoneal doses to pregnant Syrian hamsters on Day 8 of gestation, and fetuses were examined for malformations on Day 13 of gestation. Urethan produced a variety of malforma tions and growth retardation. Of the compounds modified in the carboethoxy end, n-propyl carbamate was as teratogenic as the ethyl carbamate, and /3-hydroxyethyl carbamate had only bor derline effect, while allyl carbamate and n-butyl carbamate were completely negative. Four compounds modified in the cabamyl portion of the molecule were tested. Three of these, ethyl Nmethylcarbamate, ethyl .V-hydroxycarbamate, and diethylcarbonate, were teratogenic; a fourth, ethyl A',Ar-dimethyIcarbamate was not teratogenic. The ethyl A*-hydroxycarbamate