SPERM HEAD ABNORMALITIES AND DOMINANT LETHAL EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE IN ALBINO-RATS

The effects of formaldehyde exposure have been investigated in rats by two short-term in vivo mutagenicity tests (sperm head abnormality and dominant lethal mutation assays). Five daily interperitonial injectio ns of formaldehyde resulted in a statistically significant increase in induction of sperm head abnormalities at 0.125 to 0.500 mg/kg. The fr equency of dominant lethal mutations in female rats sired by males exp osed to formaldehyde was significantly higher than the control group. There was also a reduction of fertile matings in females mated 1-7 day s after treatment of males with formaldehyde. The genetic and environm ental health implications of the results are discussed.