Reproductive and teratologic studies with halothane

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1976 Mar;35(3):467-74. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(76)90069-7.

Abstract

PIP: 9 groups of 10 male and 20 female Charles River albino rats were used in a 3-phase study to determine the effect of 2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1,-trifluroethane (halothane) in anesthetic concentrations, on reproduction in rats treated prior to mating, on fetal development in rats and rabbits when administered during various stages of gestation, and on fetal survival in rats treated during late pregnancy. Exposures were conducted in a 250-liter Plexiglas chamber. Food consumption and body weights were determined at 5-day intervals. At 100 days of age, females were caged with a male from the same group on a rotating basis until fertilization was confirmed. Half of the females from each group were sacrificed on Day 14 of gestation and the ovaries and uterus examined, corpora lutea, implantation sites, resorption sites, and fetuses counted. The remaining females were allowed to go to term. In teratologic studies, pregnant rats in 3 groups, were exposed on gestation Days 1-5 to mean halothane concentrations of 1.35%, on Days 6-10 to concentrations of 1.43% and on Days 11-15 to 1.43%. Rabbits were exposed to 2.16, 2.16 and 2.3% on respective gestation days. Perinatal and lactation performance in rats was tested after inhalation of halothane at a mean concentration of 1.44% for 1 hour/day on gestation Days 15-20. Adverse reproductive effects were absent as was evidence of teratologic activity. There was a suggested effect on fetal survival in rats exposed during late pregnancy, but further research is required to give significant results.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects
  • Halothane / pharmacology*
  • Halothane / toxicity
  • Lactation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Reproduction / drug effects*
  • Sexual Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Teratogens / pharmacology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Teratogens
  • Halothane