Mutagenicity testing of a rodenticide, zinctox (zinc phosphide) in a mouse in vivo system.

The genotoxic potential of zinctox (zinc phosphide) was evaluated in mice in vivo employing different bioassays: bone marrow chromosome aberration, micronucleus and sperm shape abnormality. A significant increase of chromosome aberrations was induced by three doses. Interestingly, the highest percentage was induced by the middle dose. In a route-responsive study the highest percentage of chromosome aberration was induced by the oral route. A dose-dependent increase in the incidence of micronuclei was noticed in the bone marrow cells. In the sperm shape abnormality test a high percentage of abnormal sperm was induced by all three dose levels. The results revealed the genotoxic potential of zinctox in the tested mouse in vivo system.