Ogata et al. (1984) reported that thiabendazole (TBZ) was teratogenic in mice when olive oil was used as a vehicle, but not teratogenic when administered in gum arabic. Results of investigations into the possible association between TBZ-induced teratogenicity and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are reported here. ATP levels in the limb buds were measured at day 10 of gestation in controls and mice treated with 1300 mg/kg TBZ 24 h previously. The results showed that there was a correlation between the dosage of TBZ and the ATP levels of fore and hind limb buds (r = -0.827 and r = -0.799, respectively). ATP levels in mouse limbs were reduced to 22-31% of control values when TBZ was given in olive oil, but the ATP reduction was only 6-9% when TBZ was given in gum arabic. This suggests that there may be a relationship between the teratogenic and ATP-depressing action of TBZ on the limb buds of mouse embryos. Pregnant rats were also treated with TBZ. TBZ at a dose level of 1000 mg/kg was given orally on day 11 of gestation. After 24 h, ATP levels in fetal rat limbs were still 82% of control values. These results confirm the observations of Ogata et al. on the vehicle effect and the difference in response between mice and rats.