Effects of halothane reexposure in female mice and their offspring.

Abstract Female CBi mice subjected to multiple exposures to halothane inhalation anesthesia before mating were investigated for the potential effects of such intervention on a specific antibody response mounted by them and their offspring. An assessment of the toxicologic and reproductive performance of female mice undergoing anesthesia was also performed. Adult female mice received three episodes of halothane anesthesia at weekly intervals. Seventy-two hours after the last dose, mice were subjected to the following procedures: 1) study of the specific humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC); 2) hematologic, hepatologic, and histopathologic studies; and 3) mating with syngeneic sires. Halothane-treated females had increased amounts of specific antibody secreting B cells, with liver studies showing evidence of microscopic fatty changes and decreased lipid peroxidation. Anesthesia did not alter reproductive performance but lowered offspring survival. Offspring displayed depressed antibody response after challenge with SRBC at weaning and at 60 d of age. The anti-SRBC antibody response that was found to be enhanced in halothane anesthetized females, seemed to be conversely impaired when studied in the offspring.