Sarin (Agent GB, isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an organophos
phate cholinesterase inhibitor. Sarin (Type I or Type II) was administ
ered by gavage to CD rats on d 6-15 of gestation at dose levels of 0,
100, 240, or 380 mu g/kg/d and to New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits on d
6-19 of gestation at dose levels of 0, 5, 10, or 15 mu g/kg/d. Female
s were weighed on gestational days (GD) 0, 6-16 for rats and 6-20 for
rabbits, and immediately prior to termination (GD 20 for rats and GD 2
9 for rabbits). All animals were monitored daily for clinical signs of
toxicity throughout dosing and until sacrifice. At necropsy, gravid u
teri were weighed and examined for the number and status of implants (
live, resorbed, or dead). Individual fetal body weight, malformations,
and variations (external, visceral, and skeletal) were recorded. Rat
and rabbit dams in the high-dose groups exhibited significant signs of
maternal toxicity and increased maternal mortality. Examination of gr
avid uteri revealed no statistical differences among treatment groups
in the incidence of resorptions or of dead or malformed fetuses, or in
average body weight of live fetuses per litter. These results show no
evidence of developmental toxicity in the CD rat or NZW rabbit follow
ing exposure to either Type I or Type II sarin during embryonic differ
entiation and major organogenesis, even at a dose that produced matern
al toxicity.