Prenatal and Postnatal Mortality of Offspring of Cyclopropenoid Fatty Acid-Fed Rats

Cyclopropenoid fatty acids fed to female rats in the form of Sterculia foetida oil caused a decrease in mating behavior, fertility, and fetal and newborn viability. At the 3% level in the diet, S. foetida oil completely prevented reproduction. At the 2 and 1% levels, it caused pre- and postpartum death of offspring. No teratological effects were observed, but degenerative changes and necrosis inconsistent with survival were seen in fetal and newborn livers and kidneys. Hemorrhages into the lung alveoli resulting in anoxia appeared to be the immediate cause of postpartum death.