The Effect of Triethylene-melamine on the Fertility of Female Mice

Abstract

TEM reduces the fertility of female mice, but the effect is much less marked than when males are treated. Embryonic deaths are induced during the 10-days following treatment, the highest incidence occurring within the 1st 3 days. Thereafter fertility is approximately normal until the 29th day, when almost complete sterility occurs. All available evidence indicates that the observed effects are, at least in part, genetical in nature, the embryonic deaths being due to the occurrence of dominant lethals, and the sterility after the 4th week being the result of destruction of the early oocytes. The ovulation rate in females treated with TEM is significantly higher than the control level during the 1st 10 days after injection. A comparison is made between the change in fertility following treatment with TEM and that following irradiation.