Fetotoxicity of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in mice: morphological, biochemical and residue evaluations.

Administration of single po doses of technical hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (5, 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) to mice on day 9 of gestation caused dose-related toxic effects in the fetuses. HCH-treated dams had consistent decreases. The percent resorption and the number of live fetuses/dam indicated that high concentrations of HCH trigger fetotoxic effects. Enzymatic changes in the livers of control and HCH-treated groups showed significant alterations. Accumulation of HCH was in the fatty tissue, brain, liver and blood.