Reproductive and Teratologic Studies with Isoflurane

The volatile anesthetic, Isoflurane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl difluoromethyl ether), was investigated at anesthetic concentrations to determine its effects on reproduction in rats treated prior to mating, on fetal development in rats and rabbits when administered during various stages of gestation, and on fetal survival in rats treated during late pregnancy. No adverse reproductive effects were observed, and no evidence of teratogenic activity was obtained. Fetal survival was low in rats exposed during late pregnancy but whether or not this finding is related to Isoflurane exposure requires confirmation.