TERATOGENICITY OF INTRAUTERINE COPPER WIRE IN MICE

Abstract

Immediately after the implantation of the fertilized ovum, on the 6th day of pregnancy, a copper wire was placed in the right uterine section on pregnant C3H mice. The left section was similarly surgically traumatized to serve as a control. The mice were killed with chloroform on the 19th day of pregnancy, and by a special histological screening technique the fetuses were examined with special reference to growth reduction, intrauterine fetal death and microscopic malformations. Differences in intrauterine fetal death did not exist, nor was there any significant growth retardation in the copper wire containing uterine section. Certain microscopic defects were found with slightly increased incidence in the copper containing section, but the differences were not statistically significant.