We evaluated the effect of repeated intraperitoneal administration of
tribromoethanol on various parameters in C57BL/6NHsd mice. Mice (n = 68) were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 groups to receive
tribromoethanol (500 mg/kg IP) on day 0 or days 0 and 8; vehicle (
tert-amyl alcohol in sterile water) only on day 0 or days 0 and 8; sterile water injection on day 0 or days 0 and 8; or no treatment. A single dose of
tribromoethanol failed to produce loss of pedal reflex and had no effect on median food and water consumption but altered median
body weight on days 1 through 4 when compared with that in mice that received vehicle only or no treatment. Median
body weight did not differ between mice that received a single dose of
tribromoethanol and those that received an injection of water. Among mice given 2 doses of
tribromoethanol, induction time,
anesthetic duration, and recovery time varied widely. Repeated administration of
tribromoethanol had no effect on median food and water consumption or
body weight compared with those in controls. Median liver weight was significantly greater in mice that received 2 doses compared with a single dose of
tribromoethanol. Median liver weight did not differ between untreated mice and those that received
tribromoethanol. No significant organ or tissue pathology was observed in any study animal. Although
tribromoethanol did not produce morbidity, mortality, or pathologic changes in treated animals, we urge caution in use of
tribromoethanol in C57BL/6NHsd mice due to its variable
anesthetic effectiveness.