Effects of halothane reexposure in female mice and their offspring

Female CBI mice subjected to multiple exposures to halothane inhalation ane sthesia before mating were investigated for the potential effects of such i ntervention on a specific antibody response mounted by them and their offsp ring. An assessment of the toxicologic and reproductive performance of fema le mice undergoing anesthesia was also performed. Adult female mice receive d three episodes of halothane anesthesia at weekly intervals. Seventy-two h ours after the last dose, mice were subjected to the following procedures: 1) study of the specific humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells ( SRBC); 2) hematologic, hepatologic, and histopathologic studies; and 3) mat ing with syngeneic sires. Halothane-treated females had increased amounts o f specific antibody secreting B cells, with liver studies showing evidence of microscopic fatty changes and decreased lipid peroxidation. Anesthesia d id not alter reproductive performance but lowered offspring survival. Offsp ring displayed depressed antibody response after challenge with SRBC at wea ning and at 60 d of age. The anti-SRBC antibody response that was found to be enhanced in halothane anesthetized females, seemed to be conversely impa ired when studied in the offspring. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All righ ts reserved.