Teratogenic potential of phencyclidine in the mouse

Pregnant CD-1 mice were given phencyclidine by gavage on days 6-15 of gestation, at dose levels of 60, 80, 100, and 120 mg/kg/day. The mice were killed on day 18 and the offspring were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. There was a significant increase in the average percent of malformed fetuses per litter only at the 120 mg/kg/day dose level (6.1% versus 1.2% for the control), a dose level which resulted in the death of 8 of 18 dams before scheduled sacrifice. At dose levels less than 120 mg/kg/day, the incidence of malformations was not significantly higher than the control value, in spite of the presence of overt maternal toxicity. Because a significant number of malformations was not seen at dose levels which were not highly toxic to the dams, it was concluded that phencyclidine was not demonstrated to be a teratogen in the mouse.