Free Access
Issue
Reprod. Nutr. Dev.
Volume 46, Number 2, March-April 2006
Page(s) 139 - 156
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2006007
Published online 06 April 2006
Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 46 (2006) 139-156
DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2006007

Genotoxical, teratological and biochemical effects of anthelmintic drug oxfendazole Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) in male and female mice

Aida El- Makawy, Hasnaa A. Radwan, Inas S. Ghaly and A. Abd El-Raouf

Cell Biology Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

(Received 30 May 2005; accepted 16 November 2005; published online 6 April 2006)

Abstract - Oxfendazole, methyl-5 (6)-phenylsulfinyl-2-benzimidazole carbamate, is a member of the benzimidazole family of anthelmintics. Anthelmintic benzimidazoles are widely used in meat producing animals (cattle, sheep and pigs) for control of endoparasites. The extensive use of veterinary drugs in food-producing animals can cause the presence of small quantities of the drug residues in food. Maximum residue limit or "MRL" means the maximum concentration of residue resulting from the use of a veterinary medicinal product which may be legally permitted recognized as acceptable in food. The FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (1999) evaluations of toxicological and residue data, reported that oxfendazole (MRL) has toxicological hazards on human health. The toxicity of oxfendazole (MRL) was tested in male and female mice and their fetuses. Chromosomal aberrations, teratological examination and biochemical analysis were the parameters used in this study. The results show that oxfendazole MRL induced a mutagenic effect in all tested cell types. Also, oxfendazole exhibit embryotoxicity including teratogenicity. The biochemical results show that oxfendazole induced a disturbance in the different biochemical contents of all tested tissues. So, we must increase the attention paid to the potential risk of oxfendazole residues in human beings and should stress the need for careful control to ensure adherence to the prescribed withdrawal time of this drug.


Key words: anthelmintic / oxfendazole / maximum residue limit / genotoxicity / embryotoxicity / teratogenicity / biochemical changes

Corresponding author: Aida El- Makawy makawy2000@yahoo.com

© INRA, EDP Sciences 2006