Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of fluorocarbon emulsion in rats

Embryotoxic and teratogenic studies were carried out on Wistar rats. The total dose of fluorocarbon emulsion (FCE) 10 ml/kg and 40 ml/kg were infused iv on d 6, d 9 and d 12 after gestation. All the rats survived. In comparison with the control, there were no significant differences in maternal body weights, number of implantations, number of resorbed fetuses and number of live fetuses. FCE did not show embryotoxicities in rats at dose used. The fetuses were all alive on d 20 after gestation. No abnormalities were found in the sex organs of fetuses. The fetal weights and the lengths of fetal bodies and tails had not been changed evidently. No congenital malformations were found except the points of retarded ossification in occiput and the 2nd and 6th sternums in the group dosed with 40 ml/kg. After iv FCE 40 ml/kg, the weights of maternal livers and spleens were increased obviously with the concentrations of FCE 5-6mg/g wet wt. No apparent changes were revealed on weight, ultrastructure and FCE granules in fetal hepatic cells as compared with the control. FCE was not detected in fetal liver by gas chromatography.