Fetal Morphology in Mice Exposed to Halothane

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Abstract
The teratogenic potential of subanesthetic and anesthetic exposure to halothane was studied in Swiss/ICR mice. Two treatment regimens were employed: daily exposure of males and females for 9 wk prior to conception and on days 1 through 17 of pregnancy; and exposure of females only on days 6 through 15 of pregnancy. Mice were exposed to subanesthetic concentrations of halothane for 0.025, 0.1, 0.4 and 1.2 MAC [minimal alveolar concentration] h/day; anesthetic exposure was 4.0 MAC h/day. Fetal morphologic development was normal at the 2 lowest exposures. Exposures of 0.4 MAC h/day and more were associated with decreased fetal ossification. At the 1.2 MAC h/day exposure, renal pelvic maturation was retarded and the incidence of skeletal variants was increased. The incidences of major malformations and minor anomalies were not increased after exposure to subanesthetic concentrations of halothane. Anesthetic exposure to 4.0 MAC h/day was lethal to both dams and embryos and caused major developmental malformations in surviving fetuses. These effects were probably due to altered maternal physiologic status. Apparently exposure of mice to subanesthetic concentrations of halothane does not cause important morphologic abnormalities in their offspring.

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