Effects of cyclophosphamide on fertility and general reproductive performance of rats

Cyclophosphamide was administered to male and female rats at 1 or 3 mg/kg/day for 3 successive generations. Except for slight decreases in body weight gain, the general health of the rats, both parental and live offspring, appeared unaffected by treatment. There was a progressive decrease in the number of live births produced in the 3-mg/kg group. Mean total leucocyte values were decreased for both treated groups. Administration of cyclophosphamide to only the male or only the female produced effects which could be expected from cytotoxicity to spermatogenesis or embryonic or fetal toxicity. Although these rats were exposed to cyclophosphamide during embryonic development and for 30 weeks after birth, after 2 weeks' withdrawal from medication, practically complete recovery occurred in the males. A greater and longer residual effect was seen in females.