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20 <br />fetal development, or on the ability to sire or to <br />produce normal offspring. Slightly reduced weights <br />were observed at birth, but high doses of rotenone <br />have a bitter taste so the test animals consume less <br />feed. <br />Q. Dose rotenone cause birth defects? <br />A. Studies have shown that daily oral doses up to 15 <br />mg/kg per day in pregnant mice and up to 6 <br />mg/kg/day in pregnant rats caused no abnormalities <br />among developing young. <br />Q. Is rotenone likely to cause inherited or genetic <br />disorders? <br />A. Results of studies using DNA repair, cytogenic <br />analysis of bone marrow cells, embryonic mouse cells, <br />eukaryotic microbial tests, and DNA synthesis tests <br />showed no evidence that rotenone causes mutations <br />or chromosome damage. <br />Q. Does rotenone cause muscle, kidney, liver or other <br />physiological problems? <br />A. Rotenone is highly toxic to insects and fish but <br />represents little risk to people or other mammals. <br />This characteristic makes it a useful pesticide. <br />However, rotenone does affect living cells. See the <br />question about how rotenone works for information <br />on its mode of action. <br />If a massive dose is administered or received, <br />warm-blooded animals will exhibit reduced pulse, <br />reduced heart contractions, and a drop in blood <br />pressure. The -rate and depth of breathing increases <br />but peristalsis in the gut is reduced. Levels of sodium, <br />potassium, chlorides, and glucose in the urine in- <br />crease. All of these effects are temporary and they <br />cease as soon as the exposure ends. <br />Acute poisoning (as might be caused by the <br />swallowing of extremely high doses) causes nausea, <br />vomiting, gastric pain, muscle tremors, incoordina- <br />tion, convulsions and stupor. Death may result. No <br />human deaths due to rotenone poisoning have been <br />reported in published literature. <br />Q. What is the danger associated with accidentally <br />drinking rotenone-treated water? <br />A. The hazard associated with such an event is very low <br />because of the low concentration of active ingredients