TOXICITY OF INHALED CHLOROFORM IN PREGNANT MICE AND THEIR OFFSPRING

The effect of inhaled chloroform on embryonal and fetal development was evaluated in CF-1 mice. Bred mice were exposed to 0 or 100 ppm of chloroform for 7 h/day from gestation days 1-7, 6-15 or 8-15. Exposure to chloroform from days 1-7 or 6-15 significantly impaired the ability of the female rats to maintain pregnancy but was not significantly teratogenic. A significant increase in cleft palate incidence was observed among the offspring of mice inhaling chloroform from gestation days 8-15, but no effect on the ability of the female rats to maintain pregnancy was discerned. Other signs of toxicity observed among mice litters exposed to chloroform included: decreased bone ossification (all experimental groups), decreased resorption incidence (days 1-7) and reduced fetal body measurements (days 1-7 and 8-15).