Effects of triphenyltin acetate on pregnancy in rats by oral administration

A teratological test was carried out on triphenyltin acetate (TPTA) used as a fungicide and antifouling agent. Pregnant Wistar rats were treated orally with TPTA at dose levels of 0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0 and 12.0 mg/kg/d during days 7-17 of gestation. Cesarean sections were performed on day 20 of gestation. In the pregnant rats, 2 of 13 and 2 of 12 dams died at 9.0 and 12.0 mg/kg, respectively. Vaginal bleeding, bloody mouth and nose, somnolence and depression of body weight gain and food intake were observed at 9.0 and 12.0 mg/kg at late stages of pregnancy. No statistically significant reductions in maternal thymus and spleen weights were observed on day 20 of gestation. Increase in embryonic and fetal deaths and in dams with total resorption of fetuses were observed at doses of more than 6.0 mg/kg. The doses of TPTA in this experiment, however, induced no teratogenic effects in rats.