A preliminary communication. Isolation and positive confirmation of chlordecone in rabbit oviductal fluid.

Chlordecone (10 mg/kg, sc in corn oil) was administered to mature female rabbits once daily for five days. Analysis of oviductal fluid collected from these rabbits over the course of this experiment confirmed the presence of chlordecone. It is reasonable to suggest that chlordecone may reduce mammalian fertility during the preimplantation period by producing deleterious effects on respective gametes and/or the embryo. The mechanisms by which chlordecone may interfere with fertilization and reproduction is discussed.