Fetotoxicity and reproductive effects of monocrotaline in pregnant rats

Four groups of 12 pregnant Wistar rats each were fed with rations containin g 0, 0.01, 0.015 and 0.02% of monocrotaline (MCT) from day 6 to 21 of gesta tion. Liver weights of the dams from the three experimental groups were sig nificantly lower than those from the control group. Serum levels of asparta te aminotransferase: alkaline phosphatase; lactate dehydrogenase; gamma glu tamyltransferase, urea and creatinine were significantly higher in dams fro m MCT 0.02% group. The weights of the placenta, fetuses and fetal lungs of the 0.02% MCT group were significantly lower than those of the control grou p. A mild to moderate interstitial pneumonia and liver lesions were observe d in dams ingesting 0.02% of MCT. These results showed the toxicity of MCT to the females that ingested 0.02% and their fetuses. Because there was no differences on the weight gains and food and water consumption of the dams it is suggested that this toxic effects in the fetuses was caused by the di ffusion of MCT through the placenta. No significant differences were observ ed in the frequency of skeletal and visceral malformation or anomalies betw een the control and treated groups suggesting that MCT had no teratogenic e ffect. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.