Effects of Carbendazim on the Mitotic Activity of the Small Intestine

Abstract

2-(methoxycarbonylamino)benzimidazole (carbendazim), one of the benzimidazole derivatives, is being widely used as a potential systemic fungicide to control various plant diseases, including those of vegetable, fruit and tobacco crops (FWO/WHO, 1974). Substance residues are found in these plants, which lead to a constant ingestion of residual quantities of the substance and create a hazard for both man and animals. The fungicide has been demonstrated to interfere with mitosis in different species. It induces mitotic disturbances in fungi (Richmond and Pring, 1977; Gualandi and Bellicampi, 1981) and mammalian cells (Styles and Garner, 1974; De Brabander et al., 1976; Seiler, 1976,1977). In Microtus oeconomus, carbendazim causes non-dis junction in young primary spermatocytes (Tates, 1979) and infertility in the rat (Carter et al., 1985). Substances like carbendazim are particularly active in tissues with high mitotic activity. In this paper, we analysed the effect of the benzimidazole derivative on the small intestine, one of the main direct contact sites for this fungicide, also characterized by its high mitotic activity.