Influence of n-hexane on embryo and fetal development in mice

Drug Chem Toxicol. 1980;3(4):393-406. doi: 10.3109/01480548009030128.

Abstract

Pregnant outbred albino mice (CD-1) received n-hexane once daily be gavage at doses up to 2.20 g/kg/day on days 6-15 of gestation. Other pregnant mice received higher hexane doses (up to 9.90 g/kg/day), employing a three times a day injection schedule. At the lower, once-daily doses only one dam died and no teratogenic effects occurred. Higher hexane doses (t.i.d.) were toxic: 2 of 25 dams treated with 2.83 g/kg/day, 3 of 34 treated with 7.92 g/kg/day and 5 of 33 treated with 9.90 g/kg/day died. At the 7.92 and 9.90 g/kg/day doses, the average fetal weight was significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced, but the incidence of malformations in treated and vehicle (cotton-seed oil) control groups did not differ significantly. Thus, n-hexane was not teratogenic even at doses toxic to the dam.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo, Mammalian / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Fetus / drug effects*
  • Hexanes / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Pregnancy
  • Teratogens*

Substances

  • Hexanes
  • Teratogens
  • n-hexane