Carbon disulphide intrauterine sensitization.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of carbon disulphide (CS2) exposure during pregnancy in two subsequent generations. Albino rats (F1), which had been prenatally exposed by maternal inhalation to teratogenic (200 and 100 mg m-3) and subteratogenic (10 and 0.03 mg m-3) concentrations of CS2, were reared until maturity and mated to produce an F2 generation. During pregnancy the F1 females were again subjected to CS2 exposure at the same concentrations as the F0 females throughout gestation. Pre- and postnatal development of F1 and F2 generations, as well as the corresponding maternal effects, were studied. Embryonic lethality, weight, congenital malformations, indices of lipid and energy metabolism, DNA and some liver drug metabolizing enzymes in maternal and fetal tissues were studied at term. Postnatal viability, physical and behavioral development, and hexobarbital sleeping time of the progeny were evaluated. Comparisons of CS2 effect on F1 and F2 generations were performed. A marked increase in CS2-induced teratogenicity was found in the F2 generation, together with retarded development of MFO system and increased postnatal behavioral effects. The results point to intrauterine sensitization of progeny to CS2. This effect is discussed in the light of possible interference of the agent with the hormonal programming of intrauterine development.