Teratogenic effect of formaldehyde in rabbits

Thirty three pregnant rabbits were exposed to vapour of 10% formaldehyde (12 ppm) throughout the gestation period to know its effect on newborns. The results showed no abortion or foetal mortality but there were some anomalies (23.8%) among the newborns rabbits which includes: meromelia (6.8%), encephalocele (6.1%), Oligodactyly (4.1%), Umbilical hernia (3.4%) and Short tail (3.4%); besides that small for date and decrease in the body weight of the newborns were also noticed. These findings suggest that formaldehyde is a teratogenic agent.