Teratological assessment of diiodomethyl p-tolyl sulfone in rats

Pregnant rats were given diiodomethyl p-tolyl sulfone (DIMPTS) at a dose of 0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0% in the diet on days 6-15 of pregnancy. Maternal body weight gain and food consumption during the administration period were significantly lowered in the 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% groups. No significant changes induced by DIMPTS were detected in the number of resorptions and dead fetuses, and body weight of live fetuses. Morphological examinations of fetuses revealed no evidence of teratogenesis. It could be concluded that DIMPTS has no teratogenic effects on rat offspring, even at doses which induced maternal toxicity.