TERATOGENIC EVALUATION OF DI-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE IN RATS

Pregnant rats were given di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) by gastric intubation at a dose of 0, 0.5, 0.63, 0.75 or 1.0 g/kg on days 7-15 of pregnancy. A significant decrease in the maternal body weight gain after treatment with DBP was found at a dose of 0.63 g/kg and above. Maternal death and complete resorption of implanted embryos in all the surviving dams were observed in the 1.0 g/kg group. Significantly increased incidence of postimplantation loss and decreased fetal weight were detected at doses of 0.63 and 0.75 g/kg. The incidence of fetuses with malformations was higher in the 0.63 and 0.75 g/kg groups than in the control group, and the difference was significant in the 0.75 g/kg group. Cleft palate were predominantly observed.