PRENATAL EFFECTS OF TECHNICAL HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE IN MICE

Technical hexachlorocyclohexane (5, 25, and 50 mg/kg/d) was orally adm inistered to mice during the pre- and postimplantation period. While m ice exposed to HCH during the preimplantation period did not show feto lethality, exposure during the postimplantation period showed dose-dep endent effects on fetuses as evidenced by increase in percentage resor ption, higher level of HCH residue, and decreased serum progesterone l evel. The absence of anomalies in fetal gross morphology and skeleton suggests technical HCH is nonteratogenic in mice.