Reproductive and teratogenic effects of sufentanil and alfentanil in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The reproductive and teratogenic effects of sufentanil and alfentanil were studied in a total of 168 Sprague-Dawley rats in two separate experiments. Either sufentanil (10, 50, or 100 micrograms.kg-1.day-1) or alfentanil (8 mg.kg-1.day-1) were administered continuously from day 5 through day 20 of pregnancy using subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps. Cesarean sections were performed on day 20 of pregnancy, reproductive indexes were determined, and the 1484 fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. No significant adverse reproductive or teratogenic effects were observed with either narcotic.