[Reproduction studies of VP 16-213 (III)--Oral administration to rabbits during the period of fetal organogenesis].

VP 16-213 (etoposide, abbr. to VP), an oncostatic drug, was administered orally to pregnant JW-NIBS rabbits from day 6 through 18 of gestation at dose levels of 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg/day. The summarized results obtained are as follows: VP 3 and 10 mg/kg elevated the maternal mortality dose-responsively. VP 3 mg/kg and lower doses failed to affect the fetal growth and ossification processes, and did not induce drug-dependent external and visceral anomalies as well as skeletal variations and anomalies. Based on these results, the no-effect dose levels of VP under the present experimental condition were estimated to be 1 mg/kg/day against dams and 3 mg/kg/day against fetuses.