Teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of 1,4-benzoquinone and wheat flour infested with tenebrionid beetles on mice

Abstract

Applying l,4-benzoquinone orally to the mice induced toxic malformations, producing teratogenic and embryotoxic effects. The toxic symptoms are recorded for various parameters: maternal body weight, weight of uterus, number of fetus, resorption, body weight of fetus, crown length and skeletal abnormalities. The same symptoms were obtained when infested wheat flour with tenebrionid beetles was offered to the miCe,which may lead to believe that the secretions of the defensive glands may cause the same harmful effects on mice as those treated with lA-benzoquinone.