[Reproduction study on netilmicin. (4) Teratological study in rabbits (author's transl)]

Teratological study on netilmicin (NTL), a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, was carried out in New Zealand White rabbits. NTL was administered intramuscularly from day 60 to day 18 of gestation at the dose levels of 12.5, 35 and 100 mg/kg. The decrease of food intake, water intake and depression of body weight were observed in the pregnant animals treated with 100 mg/kg of NTL. Body weight and tail length of fetuses were significantly decreased in the animals treated with 35 and 100 mg/kg compared with those in saline control or vehicle control groups. However, no dose-related changes or anomalies were detected in mortality, external, visceral and skeletal examinations of fetuses. Thus, it can be concluded that NTL has no adverse effect on rabbit fetuses.