Developmental toxicity of acrolein in New Zealand white rabbits

Pregnant New Zealand white rabbits (20 per group) were treated via stomach tube with 0.0, 0.1, 0.75, or 2.0 mg/kg/day from Days 7 through 19 of presumed gestation and subjected to cesarean sectioning on Day 29. Throughout the period of treatment, clinical observations, feed consumption, and body weights were recorded. At the termination of the study, reproductive and fetal parameters were measured. Three does died during the study, and transient effects on body weight gains and feed consumption were noted, with a subsequent rebound effect reflected in both fetal and maternal weights in the high-dose group (2 mg/kg/day). Resorptions were elevated in the high-dose group, but the effect was not statistically significant. Fetal malformations were distributed evenly among groups, and incidences were consistent with historical control data on the same strain and at the same laboratory. Higher dosage levels (range-finding study, 4.0 and 6.0 mg/kg/day) produced high incidences of maternal mortality, spontaneous abortion, resorptions, clinical signs, gastric ulceration, and/or sloughing of the gastric mucosa. Acrolein was not found to be a developmental toxicant or teratogen at doses not toxic to the does under the conditions employed in this study.