Abstract
This study examines the developmental toxicity of hexavalant chromium (Cr (VI)) in rats following oral exposure to Cr (VI) in
drinking water. Pregnant Fischer 344 rats ingested deionized water containing concentration levels of 100, 300 and 500 ppm Cr (VI)
during the organogenesis period ( days 6 through 15 of gestation ). Maternal effects in the 500 ppm Cr (VI) treatment group included
decreased body weight, water consumption, feed consumption, and absolute organ weights. No maternal toxicity was apparent in the
100, and 300 ppm Cr (VI) treatment groups. Maternal exposure to Cr (VI) during organogenesis significantly affected the number of
live fetuses, number of early and late resorptions, number of dead fetuses, mean fetal weight, and incidence of skeletal abnormalities
in the 500 ppm Cr (VI) treatment group. No external and visceral malformations were observed in any of the treated groups. On the
basis of the present results hexavalant chromium showed maternal and developmental toxicity at 500 ppm Cr (VI) treatment group
compared to the control and the other treated groups. Neither maternal toxicity nor embryo toxicity was apparent at the treatment
groups of 100 and 300 ppm Cr (VI).
