Pregnancy outcomes following pre- and post-implantation exposure of Sprague–Dawley rats to benzyl isothiocyanate

The present investigation examines the outcomes of ratsʹ pregnancy following pre- and post-implantation maternal exposure (orally) to benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC; 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight). Three maternal deaths were recorded in the group of rats treated with 50 mg/kg BITC. Obvious signs of toxicity characterized by hypo-activity, perinasal staining, piloerection, hunched posture and decrease in body weights were observed in BITC-treated rats during the treatment periods. Dose-dependent increase in early fetal resorptions was seen in rats treated with BITC prior to implantation, but was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the number of implantation sites in treatment groups compared with the control. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the number of fetal resorptions, relative weights of maternal liver, kidney and spleen of rats in post-implantation treatment groups compared with the control. The differences in the number of viable fetuses in treatment groups compared with the control were also not significant. However, fetal weights in rats treated with 25 and 50 mg/kg BITC and placental weights in all the treatment groups were significantly lower than the control. In conclusion, at 12.5–50 mg/kg, BITC did not cause significant pre- and post-implantation fetal loss in pregnant rats. BITC-induced low fetal and placental weights could be of obstetrical importance, but at levels/doses that would provoke maternal toxicity.