Altered behaviors in male mice, male quail, and salamander larvae following early exposures to the estrogenic pesticide methoxychlor.

Numerous publications show that methoxychlor (MXC), in use today as a DDT substitute, is a reproductive toxicant; it produces deleterious effects on the structure and function of the reproductive organs in exposed species. Exposure of mice (33 mg/kg body weight) to purified (95%) MXC at the time of implantation, or injection, of 5 mg MXC into freshly laid quail eggs prior to artificial incubation, altered sexual arousal and sexual behavior in adult males of both species. When placed near a plastic partition with an estrus female behind it, the MXC-exposed male mice showed no sexual arousal, spent less time near the partition, and exhibited lower testosterone levels.