Histochemical changes in pregnant rat's liver following repeated halothane exposure.

Eighteen adult white rats were divided into 3 groups, 6 rats each (two males and four females). The first group was exposed to 1.5% halothane for 20 minutes, every other day for 6 exposures. The rats were mated and exposed for another 10 exposures. The second group was given 0.1% phenobarbitone in milk starting one week before and during the period of exposure, which was similar to the first group. The third group was kept as a control. At the suspected date of delivery, the rats were sacrificed and specimens were taken from the mother's liver for estimation of the activities of the enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. Repeated halothane exposure decreased the activity of the enzymes succinate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase. Treatment with phenobarbitone has the same effect on succinate dehydrogenase, but partially spared the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases.