title: Embryotoxic evaluation of a Prudhoe Bay crude oil in rats.
abstract: The embryotoxic potential of a Prudhoe Bay crude oil (PBCO) was investigated in rats. PBCO was administered orally to pregnant rats as (i) a single dose on various gestation days, (ii) a single variable dose on gestation day 6, or (iii) as daily doses from day 6 to day 17 of pregnancy. PBCO administered during the earlier stages of pregnancy (day 3, 6 or 11) but not during the later stages, affected the reproductive performance of pregnant rats by significantly increasing the number of resorptions including fetal death and by decreasing the fetal weight. A dose-dependent increase in fetomortality was also observed. Multiple exposure to low levels of crude oil also caused a significant reduction in maternal body weight besides other embryotoxic changes.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000139:chemically induced; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010578:Petroleum / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum