Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid dimethyl amine salt on dental hard tissue formation in rats

2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid dimethyl amine salt (2,4-D DMA), as one of the phenoxy acids, is used as a herbicide mainly against broad-leaf weeds i n cereal crops, sugar cane, and on turf, pasture, and non-crop land. Some f ormulations of 2,4-D may be contaminated with dioxins. Recently it has been shown that chlorinated organic compounds, dioxins, and furans are present in mother's milk and may cause developmental defects in children's teeth. T herefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 2,4-D DMA on odontogenesis in rats. 2,4-D DMA was given orally combined with rat food to pregnant albino rats. Each group consisted of two pregnant rats and, 0 (control, group A), 25 ppm (group B), 50 ppm (group C), and 100 ppm (group D) 2,4-D DMA was gi ven to each pregnant rat as daily intake. 2,4-D DMA affected young rat's de ntal development and dose-related findings were found in experimental group s. The odontoblast layer was irregular and globular dentin formation was pr esent in Groups B, C, and D but not in the control group. Thickness of enam el decreased in Groups C and D. The results of the study have shown that 2, 4-D DMA could disturb dental development in rats even in relatively low dos es. It is concluded that environmental contaminants such as chlorinated org anic pesticides may play an important role in infant's dental development w hen taken via mother's milk. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.