Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Effects of Norfloxacin in Pregnant Female Albino Rats

Table 3

Skeletal abnormalities in fetuses obtained from pregnant female rats after repeated oral administration of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg norfloxacin/kg⋅b⋅wt from 6th to 15th day of pregnancy once daily (𝑛=15).

Parameters	Control group	500 mg/kg·b·wt; (A)	1000 mg/kg·b·wt; (B)	2000 mg/kg·b·wt; (C)
Number of examined fetuses	15	15	15	15
Impairment of skull ossification	—	3 (20%)	5 (33.33%)	8 (53.33%)
Absence or dislocation of sternebrae	—	2 (13.33%)	3 (20%)	5 (33.33%)
Reduction or absence of caudal vertebrae	—	5 (33.33%)	6 (40%)	10 (66.67%)
Absence of digit's bone of fore limb	—	3 (20%)	4 (26.67%)	9 (60%)
Absence of digit's bone of hind limb	—	2 (12.33%)	3 (20%)	7 (46.67%)
Absence of some metatarsal bone	—	3 (20%)	4 (26.67%)	6 (40%)
Absence of some metacarpal bone	—	2 (12.33%)	4 (26.67%)	5 (33.33%)

%: percent of total abnormalities in relation to the number of examined fetuses.