Electrophysiological evidence for a dopaminergic action of LSD: depression of unit activity in the substantia nigra of the rat.

LSD (25–50 μg/kg, i.v.) significantly decreased the firing rate of 78% of the dopamine-containing neurons in the substantia nigra of chloral hydrate anesthetized rats. In a subgroup of neurons (22%), LSD either had no clear effect or caused a slight excitation. On the other hand, brom-LSD (100 μg/kg, i.v.), a non-hallucinogenic congener of LSD, had no effect on 71% of dopaminergic cells and slightly reduced the firing rate with 29% of the units. Pretreatment with haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg) blocked the inhibitory effects of LSD, and haloperidol injected following LSD reversed its depressive effects. Non-dopaminergic neurons in the region of the substantia nigra typically showed large increases in firing rate in response to LSD administration. The inhibitory effects of LSD on dopamine-containing neurons are probably not attributable to the serotonergic properties of LSD, since 5-methoxy N,N dimethyltryptamine (25–100 μg/kg), which has central serotonergic properties similar to those of LSD, produced exclusively excitatory effects on the firing rate of dopaminergic cells. These electrophysiological results are consistent with recent behavioral and neurochemical data which suggest that LSD can act as a dopamine agonist in the CNS.     

Inhibition of peripheral adrenergic neurotransmission by lergotrile in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Intraperitoneal injection of lergotrile (0.5 mg/kg) produced arterial hypotension and bradycardia for 120 and 90 minutes, respectively, in anesthesized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). During this time frame, lergotrile (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) greatly attenuated diastolic blood pressure and cardiac rate responses to electrical stimulation (0.062-4 Hz) of the sympathetic outflow in pithed SHR, but had no significant effect on comparable increments in pressure and rate produced by exogenous norepinephrine (0.01–10 μg/kg, i.v.). Pretreatment of SHR with haloperidol (2 mg/kg, i.p.) prevented lergotrile-induced hypotension and partially reversed its inhibitory effect on neurogenic vasoconstrictor responses. Haloperidol alone had no significant effect on baseline arterial blood pressure or responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. Administration of hexamethonium (20 mg/kg, i.v.) to SHR antagonized the hypotensive response to lergotrile (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), although hydralazine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) still produced a marked reduction in pressure.These results suggest that lergotrile produces arterial hypotension and bradycardia primarily by inhibiting peripheral sympathetic nerve function through a dopaminergic mechanism. The probable site of action of lergotrile is at presynaptic (neuronal) dopamine receptors which are known to be inhibitory to neurogenic release of norepinephrine.     

Effects of cyclo (Leu-Gly) on neurochemical indices of striatal dopaminergic supersensitivity induced by prolonged haloperidol treatment

The effects of a prolonged treatment with cyclo (Leu-Gly) and/or haloperidol on biochemical parameters indicative of striatal dopamine target cell supersensitivity have been investigated in the rat. When given acutely, cyclo (Leu-Gly) (2 mg/kg sc) did not affect striatal homovanillic acid, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and acetylcholine levels both under basal conditions or after acute haloperidol (1 mg/kg ip) treatment. When given concomitantly with haloperidol (infused by means of osmotic minipumps at a rate of 2.5 μg/h sc) for 14 days, cyclo (Leu-Gly) (2 mg/kg sc once daily) failed to prevent the fall of striatal dopamine metabolites observed 2 days following withdrawal and the tolerance to the elevation of dopamine metabolites which occurs in response to challenge with the neuroleptic during withdrawal. Prolonged treatment with cyclo (Leu-Gly) also failed to affect the tolerance to the decrease of striatal acetylcholine levels which occurs under chronic haloperidol treatment. These data suggest that the mechanism whereby cyclo (Leu-Gly) inhibits the development of neuroleptic-induced dopaminergic supersensitivity does not involve an action of the peptide on nigro-striatal dopaminergic and striatal cholinergic neurons and is probably exerted distally to both dopaminergic and cholinergic synapses.     

Dopamine agonist pretreatment alters LSD's electrophysiological action from dopamine agonists to antagonist.

LSD (50 μg/kg, i.v.) significantly depressed the discharge rate of dopamine-containing neurons in the substantia nigra of chloral hydrate anesthetized rats. However, when this same dose of LSD was administered to rats whose nigral cell discharge had been reduced 45% below baseline by d-amphetamine (mean dose = 1.45 mg/kg, i.v.), the discharge rate was significantly increased (typically returning to the pre-amphetamine baseline). A similar pattern was observed when LSD was administered to apomorphine-pretreated animals. Brom-LSD also produced these reversal effects. These effects of LSD resemble those of classical central dopamine antagonists such as haloperidol. We hypothesize that the shift in LSD's action from that of dopamine agonist to antagonist by prior dopamine agonist treatment may be mediated by a conformational shift in the state of the dopamine receptor.     

Blockade of Neurotensin Receptor by SR 48692 Potentiates the Facilitatory Effect of Haloperidol on the Evoked In Vivo Dopamine Release in the Rat Nucleus Accumbens

Abstract: The present experiments assessed the effects of SR 48692, a selective nonpeptide antagonist of neurotensin receptors, on mesolimbic dopaminergic neurotransmission. Dopamine release evoked by the electrical stimulation of the median forebrain bundle (20 Hz, 10 s) was measured in the nucleus accumbens of urethane-anesthetized rats using differential pulse amperometry combined with carbon fiber electrodes. SR 48692 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) alone did not affect this release, whereas it dose-dependently (0.03–1 mg/kg, i.p.) enhanced the haloperidol (50 µg/kg, i.p.)-induced facilitation of the electrically evoked DA release. The increase induced by haloperidol (92 ± 26% above control values 30 min after injection) was potentiated by SR 48692 (264 ± 75% at 0.03 mg/kg, 428 ± 113% at 0.1 mg/kg, and 480 ± 135% at 1 mg/kg). Effects identical to those of SR 48692 were obtained with SR 48527, a chemically related compound with a high affinity for neurotensin receptors, but not with SR 49711, its low-affinity antipode. The potentiating effects of SR 48692 were positively related to the stimulation frequency (from 6 to 20 Hz) and to the dose of haloperidol (from 12.5 to 50 µg/kg) and were abolished after prior kainic acid lesion (1 µg/1 µl) of the nucleus accumbens. Thus, the effects of SR 48692 required the integrity of postsynaptic elements of the nucleus accumbens and occurred under the combination of two, at least partly, interdependent conditions: strong D₂ autoreceptor blockade and high-intensity stimulation likely to release neurotensin. It is interesting that these potentiating effects of SR 48692 did not appear in the striatum. In conclusion, these findings suggest that endogenous neurotensin may attenuate the facilitation of D₂ receptor blockade on mesolimbic but not nigrostriatal dopamine transmission.     

NEUROCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THE HYPERRESPONSIVE PHASE AFTER A SINGLE DOSE OF NEUROLEPTICS TO MICE

Abstract— Four days after a single dose of teflutixol (5 mg/kg i.p.), at which time mice are superresponsive to dopamine agonists, e.g. apomorphine, the specific binding of [³H]haloperidol, [³H]cis (Z)-flupenthixol, [³H]apomorphine, [³H]dopamine, [³H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard and [³H]GABA to striatal membranes in vitro is equal to that of saline-treated mice. Specific binding of [³H]haloperidol is also unchanged 3 days following a single dose of fluphenazine (5mg/kg i.p.) and 2 days following haloperidol (5 mg/kg i.p.), but slightly decreased 3 days following cis(Z)-flupenthixol (5 mg/kg i.p.).
The possibility that remaining neuroleptic or active metabolites could obscure a slight increase in dopamine receptor binding was rejected, since remaining amounts of [³H]teflutixol in the final binding assay 4 days after intraperitoneal injection of [³H]teflutixol (5 mg/kg) were too small to influence the binding of [³H]haloperidol in vitro .
It is concluded that the pharmacological superresponsiveness and the decrease in dopamine synthesis and release seen after the initial receptor blockade following a single dose of neuroleptic drugs in mice are nor accompanied by changes in dopamine, muscarine or GABAergic receptor characteristics in corpus striatum. The possibility that changes occur in a small number of functional operative dopamine receptors cannot be excluded, however.     

Antipsychotic drugs block LSD-induced disaggregation of brain polysomes.

Intravenous injection of LSD at 10, 25 and 100 μg/kg to young rabbits induces brain specific disaggregation of polysomes to monosomes. Polysomes in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and remaining brain stem are affected. Neurotransmitter receptors are involved since prior injection of the receptor blockers haloperidol, chlorpromazine, propranolol, phentolamine, or pizotyline prevent drug-induced polysome shift. Depression of neuronal activity with sedative levels of ethanol or pentobarbital also eliminates polysome disaggregation.     

Enkephalins interfere with acquisition of an active avoidance response

Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin at a dose of 400 μg/kg i.p. significantly impaired acquisition of a one-way active avoidance response. D-Ala-D-Leu-enkephalin also impaired acquisition but at a lower dose (4 μg/kg). D-Ala-Met-enkephalinamide in a wide dose range (0.04–400 μ/kg) did not alter acquisition of the response. A high dose of naloxone (100 mg/kg) blocked the impairing action of Leu-enkephalin. These results are discussed in terms of multiple opiate receptor species.     

CNS mediated inhibition of gastric secretion by bombesin: independence from interaction with brain catecholaminergic, and serotoninergic pathways and pituitary hormones

The effects of hypophysectomy and pharmacologic manipulation of brain biogenic amines on gastric secretion (volume and titratable acidity) and on CNS-mediated inhibition of gastric secretion by bombesin were studied in pylorus-ligated rats. Bombesin (100 ng), given intracisternally (i.c.), reduced the gastric secretory volume by 61%, raised pH values to 5 and virtually suppressed the titratable acidity of gastric secretion. Hypophysectomy did not modify the volume of secretion, lowered the gastric acid concentration by 37% and did not alter the magnitude of bombesin's suppressive effect, suggesting that pituitary-derived substances do not participate in the expression of bombesin's action. Depletion of brain catecholamines by combined administration of the neurotoxic agent 6-hydroxydopamine (400 μg twice, i.c.) and the catecholamine synthesis inhibitor α-methyl-p-tyrosine (250 mg/kg) or blockade of dopamine receptors by haloperidol (25 μg, i.c.), which induced a rise in plasma prolactin levels (indirect evidence of suppression of dopaminergic inhibitory tonus) neither modified gastric secretion nor the antisecretory effect of bombesin. Depletion of brain serotonin by the indolamine neurotoxin 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (50 μg, i.c.) combined with p-chlorophenylalanine (315 mg/kg), an inhibitor of tryptophane-hydroxylase, did not affect gastric secretion or bombesin's action. Administration of dopamine, serotonin or noradrenaline at 10-μg dose levels i.c. had no effect on gastric secretion. The demonstration that pharmacologic measures designed to interfere with the normal functioning of brain catecholaminergic and serotoninergic systems did not modify gastric secretion is not in favor of their involvement in the brain control of gastric secretion. Moreover, the fact that the potent antisecretory action of bombesin is not mimicked by, nor dependent upon, intact biogenic amine pathways further supports the concept that a direct neuropeptidergic pathway may participate in the CNS regulation of gastric secretion.     

Acute Effects of Typical and Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs on the Release of Dopamine from Prefrontal Cortex, Nucleus Accumbens, and Striatum of the Rat: An In Vivo Microdialysis Study

In vivo microdialysis has been used to study the acute effects of antipsychotic drugs on the extracellular level of dopamine from the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and prefrontal cortex of the rat. (-)-Sulpiride (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg i.v.) and haloperidol (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg i.v.) enhanced the outflow of dopamine in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. In the medial prefrontal cortex, (-)-sulpiride at all doses tested did not significantly affect the extracellular level of dopamine. The effect of haloperidol was also attenuated in the medial prefrontal cortex; 0.1 mg/kg did not increase the outflow of dopamine and the effect of 0.5 mg/kg haloperidol was of shorter duration in the prefrontal cortex than that observed in striatum and nucleus accumbens. The atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine (5 and 10 mg/kg) increased the extracellular concentration of dopamine in all three regions. In contrast to the effects of sulpiride and haloperidol, that of clozapine in the medial prefrontal cortex was profound. These data suggest that different classes of antipsychotic drugs may have distinct effects on the release of dopamine from the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesocortical terminals.     

Phencyclidine-induced stereotyped behavior and serotonergic syndrome in rat

Phencyclidine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced in rats a biphasic response consisting of serotonergic syndrome followed by stereotyped behavior. The initial serotonergic syndrome was significantly reduced by cinanserin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) and cyproheptadine (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) but not influenced by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). The later stereotyped behavior was significantly reduced by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) but not influenced by cinanserin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) or cyproheptadine (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.). A lower dose of phencyclidine (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) elicited only haloperidol-sensitive stereotyped behavior. These results indicate that serotonergic and dopaminergic mechanisms may mediate the behavioral effects of phencyclidine in rats.     

Calcitonin inhibition of physiological and stimulated prolactin secretion in rats

The administration of salmon Calcitonin (sCT) intravenously (2.5 or 10 μg/kg) or into the lateral cerebral ventricles (2.5 or 25 ng/rat, i.c.v.) of unanaestized male rats induced clearcut decreases in plasma prolactin(PRL) levels. The i.c.v. injection of one of these doses of sCT (25 ng/rat) into rats with median eminence lesions was completely ineffective, while it induced a dramatic decrease in plasma PRL levels of sham-operated rats. Morphine- and heat stress-stimulated PRL levels were also abolished by sCT injection (250 ng/rat i.c.v.). The sCT-induced decrease in PRL levels was completely overcome by haloperidol, a dopamine-receptor blocker. We conclude that sCT may affect PRL secretion via an hypothalamic system, probably involving dopaminergic neurons. The present results indicate that CT, like many others peptides, may affect PRL secretion, directly or indirectly, even though further research is necessary to determine whether this effect has pharmacological or physiological importance.     

Effects of a lipopolysaccharide from Pantoea agglomerans on the cocaine-induced place preference

A lipopolysaccharide from Pantoea agglomerans (LPSp) was purified, and its effect on the cocaine-induced place preference was examined in rats. Cocaine (4 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant place preference. Administration of LPSp (5 – 1000 μg/kg, i.p.) alone resulted in neither preference nor aversion for either the drug- or saline-associated place. However, pretreatment with LPSp (500 and 1000 μg/kg, i.p.) abolished the place preference that had been induced by cocaine. Furthermore, treatment with LPSp (500 μg/kg, i.p.) abolished cocaine (20 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced locomotor enhancement in mice. These results suggest that while LPSp itself may possess neither reinforcing nor locomotor enhancing effects, it blocks both the reinforcing and the locomotor enhancing effects of cocaine. Therefore, LPSp might be useful in pharmacotherapy for prevention of recurrent cocaine abuse.     

Action of glucagon and atropine on mucosal blood flow of resitng fundic pouches of dogs.

Clearance of plasma aminopyrine (an index of mucosal blood flow, MBF) into acid (0.1 N HCl) instilled into Heidenhain pouches was about 200 ml per 30 min under basal conditions. Glucagon 50 μg/kg s.c. significantly decreased the MBF from 200 to 132 ml per 30 min at one hr; the decrease lasted about 60 min. Infusion of glucagon 50 μg/kg i.v. for 1 hr produced a delayed reduction of MBF lasting for more than 90 min. Under the same experimental conditions, atropine 50 μg/kg reduced MBF from 200 to 166 ml per 30 min upon subcutaneous administration and showed no significant effect by i.v. infusion. The increase in residual volume of the pouch caused by glucagon could not account for all the decrease in clearance of aminopyrine. We conclude that glucagon reduces gastric mucosal blood flow under basal conditions.     

Inhibition of dopamine receptors in the stomach: An explanation of the gastrokinetic properties of domperidone

We investigated the effects of dopamine and secrenin on the motility of the isolated guinea pig stomach. Changes in intragastric volume were continously recorded as a measure of gastric motility. When 0.25 μg/ml dopamine was given intra-arterially (i.a.) via the coeliac axis, the stomach relaxed, its spontaneous activity decreased, and its content augmented. This effect of dopamine could be selectively inhibited by the dopamine antagonists haloperidol (0.16 μg/ml) and domperidone (0.16 μg/ml); the latter is effective in the treatment of gastro-intestinal dysfunction. These observations demonstrate the presence of dopaminergic receptors in the guinea pig stomach. Similar conclusions can be reached for the rat stomach from ³H-domperidone displacement studies. Secretin (6.7 mU/ml i.a.) inhibited the vagally induced emptying of the stomach. This effect is reversed by domperidone (0.04 μg/ml). These results strongly suggest that dopamine or/and secretin are involved in the local feedback control of gastric motility; the action of secretin may be direct or indirect by release of dopamine. The local interference of domperidone with endogenous secretin and dopamine in the stomach may explain its gastrokinetic properties.     

高频电刺激下丘脑后核对氟哌啶醇致大鼠运动不能的影响

目的：利用氟哌啶醇致僵直大鼠模拟帕金森病（PD）的运动不能,通过高频电刺激下丘脑后核（PH）,观察大鼠僵直和运动能力的变化,从而探讨PH在PD治疗中潜在的应用价值。方法：将成年雄性SD大鼠随机分为PH刺激组、假刺激组和对照组,对PH刺激组和假刺激组大鼠双侧PH置入双极刺激电极,腹腔注射氟哌啶醇30min后,PH刺激组给予持续高频电刺激（130Hz,60μs,100μA）,分别利用爬杆实验和跑步机实验评价大鼠僵直程度和运动能力。结果：腹腔注射氟哌啶醇1．0mg／kg后,①大鼠呈僵直状态,其潜伏期为167．88±17．88S,给予双侧PH高频电刺激后潜伏期显著缩短至77．5±21．27s（P〈0．01）。②跑步机试验显示大鼠跑动速度和跑动距离显著下降,分别为5．78±0．90cm／s和8．06±4．35m（P〈0．01）,给予双侧PH高频电刺激后显著提高跑动速度和跑动距离,分别为12．72±3．66cm／s和98．61±96．75m（P〈0．01）。结论：腹腔注射氟哌啶醇可模拟帕金森病的僵直和运动不能症状,双侧高频电刺激PH可显著拮抗氟哌啶醇对大鼠僵直和运动不能的作用,提示PH为DBS治疗帕金森病运动不能的有效刺激靶点,为临床DBS刺激PH治疗PD提供实验依据。     

Haloperidol-stomach lesions attenuation by pentadecapeptide BPC 157, omeprazole, bromocriptine, but not atropine, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, ranitidine, cimetidine and misoprostol in mice

The focus was on haloperidol (central dopamine antagonist)-stomach lesion, a longly described suitable counterpart of dopamine blocker cysteamine-duodenal lesion. In this, the contribution of blockade of central/peripheral dopamine receptors and prostaglandins synthesis, along with influence of antiulcer agents was evaluated in mice. Male NMRI Hannnover mice were sacrificed 24 h after haloperidol (25 mg/kg b.w. i.p., given alone or with saline (haloperidol+saline) (i) or in combination (ii,iii)). Supporting central dopamine predominance for haloperidol stomach lesion induction, co-administration of peripheral dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone (5 mg/kg i.p.) (haloperidol+ domperidone) (ii), or prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indomethacin (10 mg/kg s.c.) (haloperidol+ indomethacin) (iii) did not aggravate this lesion. (i) In haloperidol+saline challenged mice the lesions were inhibited by co-administration (/kg i.p.) of a gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, GlyGluProProProGlyLysProAlaAspAspAlaGlyLeuVal, M.W. 1419 (10 microg, 10 ng, 10 pg, but not 1 pg, 100 fg, 10 fg), bromocriptine (10 mg), omeprazole (10 mg, 100 mg, but not 1 mg). Atropine (10, 100, 200 mg), pirenzepine (10, 100, 200 mg), misoprostol (10, 100, 200 microg), pantoprazole (1, 10, 100 mg), lansoprazole (0.1, 1, 10 mg), cimetidine (10, 100, 200 mg) and ranitidine (10, 100, 200 mg) were not effective. (ii) Dopamine peripheral blockade influence: in haloperidol+domperidone mice, previously effective bromocriptine, pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (10 microg) or omeprazole (10 mg) did not attenuate stomach lesions. (iii) Prostaglandins synthesis blockade effect: in haloperidol+indomethacin mice, previously effective agents, bromocriptine or omeprazole were not active, while BPC 157 effect was only lessened.     

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to δ opioid receptors attenuates morphine dependence in mice

The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) treatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (A-oligo) to δ opioid receptor mRNA on the morphine-induced place preference and naloxone-precipitated jumping was examined in morphine-dependent mice. Morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) produced a significant place preference. I.c.v. pretreatment with A-oligo (0.01–1 μg/mouse) dose-dependently attenuated this morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced place preference, while mismatched oligodeoxynucleotide (M-oligo; 1 μg/mouse, i.c.v.) was ineffective. Naloxone (3 mg/kg, s.c.) precipitated jumping in morphine-dependent mice. I.c.v. pretreatment with A-oligo (1 μg/mouse) attenuated this naloxone (3 mg/kg, s.c.)-precipitated jumping in morphine-dependent mice, while M-oligo (1 μg/mouse, i.c.v.) was ineffective. These data demonstrate that the selective reduction in supraspinal δ opioid receptor function caused by pretreatment with A-oligo attenuated the morphine-induced place preference and naloxone-precipitated jumping in morphine-dependent mice, suggesting that the rewarding effect of and physical dependence on morphine may be modulated by central δ opioid receptors.     

The emetic effect of B-HT 920 and apomorphine in the dog: antagonism by haloperidol

Recent investigations have suggested that the alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist B-HT 920 is also a dopamine (DA) agonist with a selectivity for presynaptic receptors. In the present study, the emetic effect of B-HT 920 was investigated. Intravenous injections of B-HT 920 (0.32-10.0 micrograms/kg) and a DA2-agonist apomorphine (3.2-100.0 micrograms/kg) caused dose-dependent emesis. The ED50 of B-HT 920 and apomorphine were 3.2 and 12.3 micrograms/kg, respectively. When haloperidol (10.0-24.5 micrograms/kg i.v.), a DA2-antagonist, was given 5 minutes before B-HT 920 (10 micrograms/kg) or apomorphine (32 micrograms/kg), it caused a dose-dependent prevention of B-HT 920- and apomorphine-induced emesis. The ED50 of haloperidol in preventing the emetic effect of both drugs was identical (13.5 micrograms/kg). In contrast, haloperidol (32 micrograms/kg i.v.) did not prevent the emetic effect of ouabain (40 micrograms/kg i.v.). Neither did yohimbine (0.1 mg/kg i.v.), an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, prevent the emetic effect of B-HT 920 (10 micrograms/kg). These results suggest that B-HT 920, acting like apomorphine, induces emesis by activating DA2-receptors probably in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the area postrema.     

Fetotoxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

The fetotoxic and teratogenic potential of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) for rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) was tested through oral administration to monkeys early in pregnancy. A single or divided dose, 1 μg of TCDD/kg of body weight, was followed by abortion in 13 of 16 pregnant monkeys treated between days 20 and 40 of gestation. One of four aborted at 0.2 μg/kg, and two of two at 5 μg/kg. None of the mothers given 0.2 μg/kg showed signs of toxicity. Eight of the monkeys aborting at 1 μg/kg showed clinical toxicity 44 to 111 days after aborting, and three died. Both given 5 μg/kg became toxic soon after abortion and died. No malformations except for two minor palatal abnormalities of questionable significance were found in the six fetuses that were not aborted at doses of 0.2 and 1.0 μg/kg. These results indicate (1) that TCDD is fetotoxic at doses that frequently have delayed toxicity to the mother, but that conclusions about teratogenicity cannot be drawn, and (2) that pregnant rhesus females are more sensitive to the toxic effects of TCDD than any species tested but the guinea pig.