DIBROMOACETIC ACID DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT EARLY-PREGNANCY IN RATS

Dibromoacetic acid (DBA), a byproduct of water disinfection, has been shown to have adverse reproductive effects in male rodents. in light o f the lack of data on potential effects on female reproduction, studie s were initiated to evaluate the potential effect of the chemical on e arly pregnancy. Groups of mature Holtzman rats were used, and cycles w ere monitored in all animals by vaginal smears. The administration of DBA at 0, 62.5, 125, or 250 mg/kg/d to rats during the first 8 d of pr egnancy had no effect on the number of implantation sites found on Day 9 nor any other progestational parameter, except for serum estradiol, which was elevated. When groups of pregnant rats treated with the sam e range of dosages of DBA during Days 1 through 8 of pregnancy were ki lled on Day 20, there was no effect of treatment on the number of pups /litter, number of resorptions, or mean pup weight. These data demonst rate that while DBA has serious adverse effects on reproduction in mal e rodents, the chemical does not affect early pregnancy in rats. Effec ts on ovarian function and latent fertility are not ruled out. (C) 199 8 Elsevier Science Inc.