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Abstract During the last several decades, there have been widespread uses of pesticides that, although effective in the management of various pests on land and in water, have also imposed threats to human health. Prolonged exposure to insecticides is known to cause chronic neurological syndrome, malignant tumors, immunosuppressive potential, teratogenic effects, abortion, decreased fertility and malformed fetal development in experimental animals. Methomyl was classified as a highly hazardous (class 1B) compound by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2004), however, it is still used in developing countries including Egypt. On the other hand, natural products are promising sources for the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. In recent decades, several works investigating the composition and biological properties of propolis have been published, revealing the interest of researchers in this bee product and its potential for the development of new drugs. Therefore, the present study investigated the embryotoxicity effects of methomyl exposure on the prenatal and postnatal development of rat fetuses and pups; the effect of methomyl exposure on lipid peroxidation; the antioxidant defense system in developing fetuses and pups; as well as histopathological, ultrastructural and molecular changes in the developing brain and adrenal gland. Additionally, the current study investigated the possible ameliorative role of propolis against methomyl insecticide. |