Endotoxin, fever and anomalies of development in rabbits. Short communication.

E. coli endotoxin was injected i.v. in rabbits (White New Zealands) on day 9 of gestation. The rise of temperatures was examined by thermoelectric recording. On day 29 of pregnancy the rabbits were killed, the uteri examined for resorptions and the fetuses inspected for malformations. The results were compared with those of control animals. The group treated with E. coli endotoxin showed a significant higher resorption and malformation rate. On the basis of the slight increase of temperatures (up to 1.1 degrees C above normal value), it is supposed that the endotoxin-induced fever did not participate in the teratogenic effects observed.