Teratology studies on orally administered chloroform in the rat and rabbit

Abstract

The effect of orally administered chloroform on embryonal and fetal development was evaluated in the rat and rabbit. Doses of 0, 20, 50, or 126 mg/kg/day in the rat, and 0, 20, 35, or 50 mg/kg/day in the rabbit were given on days 6–15 and 6–18 of gestation, respectively. Fetuses were removed by cesarean section 1 or 2 days prior to expected parturition and were examined for external, skeletal, and/or soft tissue abnormalities. The occurrence of anorexia and weight gain suppression in dams of both species, as well as subclinical nephrosis in the rat and hepatotoxicity in the rabbit, indicated that maximum tolerated doses of chloroform were used. Fetotoxicity in the form of reduced birth weights was observed at the highest dose level in both species. There was no evidence of teratogenicity in either species at any dose tested.