Study of toxicity of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in pregnant gilts and their foetuses.

An embryotoxicity study on butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) was carried out in SPF pigs (Danish Landrace). BHA was incorporated in the diet and administered to pigs in doses of 0, 50, 200 and 400 mg/kg body wt/day from mating (artificial insemination) to day 110 of the gestation period, when the foetuses were removed. Significant lower weight gain was observed in the dams dosed 400 mg/kg body wt/day. Absolute and relative organ weight for the liver and thyroid gland showed a dose-related increase, BHA neither affected the reproduction data nor the incidence of defects in the foetuses.