© 1992 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Toxicology of Maternally Ingested Trichloroethylene (TCE) on Embryonal and Fetal Development in Mice and of TCE Metabolites on in Vitro Fertilization1
Endocrine Research Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing Michigan 48824
Received June 19, 1991; accepted April 9, 1992
Trichioroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent, is a soil and ground water contaminant found across the United States. The metabolism and carcinogenic potential of TCE have been studied extensively in the past 15 years yet there is little information on the chemical's possible effects on reproduction. No reference to the reproductive effects in mice of TCE by oral administration exists in the literature. In this study, female B6D2FI mice were gavaged from Days 1 to 5,6 to 10, or 11 to 15 (Day 1 = vaginal plug) with TCE in corn oil at 0, 
and 
of the oral LD50. Weights of mice were recorded and the livers and kidneys were weighed and preserved in 10% buffered formalin. Litters were counted, sexed, weighed, and measured for crown-rump length until weaning on Day 21 and some animals were allowed to develop to 6 weeks of age. At this time, a minimum of two litters from each dose were killed and gonads removed, weighed, and preserved in Bouin's fixative. Litters were also assessed for developmental abnormalities. No maternal or reproductive effect of TCE was seen at either dose level. TCE, administered consecutively on Days 1 to 5, 6 to 10, and 11 to 15 of pregnancy, does not appear to be a potential reproductive toxicant up to the oral LD5O. In a second series of studies, TCE and its metabolites dichloroacetic acid (DCA), trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), and trichloroethanol (TCOH) were added to culture media to assess the toxic effects on in vitro fertilization (IVF) in mice. Cumulus masses from B6D2F1 female mice and ca pacitated sperm from B6D2F1 male mice were placed in medium containing one or a combination of the above chemicals. After a 24-hr period in 5% CO2 incubator oocytes were assessed for fertilization. TCE, up to 1000 ppm, showed no effect on IVF. DCA, TCAA, and TCOH each showed a dose-related effect up to 1000 ppm. TCAA and TCOH did not exhibit a synergistic effect.