Mutagenicity of dimecron studied in 3 mosaic assays and the sex-linked recessive lethal test in Drosophila melanogaster.

The genotoxicity of dimecron, a systemic organophosphate pesticide, has been tested in the wing, eye and germ line mosaic assays and the sex-linked recessive lethal test in Drosophila melanogaster. Larvae heterozygous for recessive marker mutations were fed the compound for various periods of time. On emergence, the wings and eyes of the adults were screened for mosaic spots and the eggs laid by the females were checked for induction of female germ line mosaicism. Dimecron is mutagenic to the somatic and germ line cells of Drosophila and induces a high frequency of sex-linked recessive lethals.