Paclitaxel, an antineoplastic agent, was administered intravenously to pregnant Crj: CD (SD) rats daily at dose levels of 0 (saline and vehicle), 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg from day 17 of gestation to postpartum day 21. Results were as follows: 1. The vehicle-treated group had no effect in any of the parameters that were measured in this study when compared to the saline-treated group. 2. 1.0 mg/kg paclitaxel caused suppression of the body weight gains associated with the decreased food consumption in F0 dams during the lactation period. 3. Thymic, heart and uterine weights were reduced in 1.0 mg/kg F0 dams at completion of the lactation period. In addition, thymic atrophy was observed for 1.0 mg/kg F0 dams macroscopically. 4. Paclitaxel did not alter the delivery status of F0 dams or birth, viability and weaning indices in F1 pups. 5. The days required for presence of hair, incisor eruption and testicular descent were statistically delayed in 1.0 mg/kg F1 rats. 6. The latency time for olfactory orientation was prolonged in 1.0 mg/kg F1 rats on postnatal day 15. Further, the positive response rates for air righting were reduced in 1.0 mg/kg F1 rats from postnatal day 17 to day 20. 7. 1.0 mg/kg paclitaxel caused suppression of the body weight gains in male F1 rats from postnatal week 1 to week 12. Though body weight gains were decreased in 1.0 mg/kg female F1 rats from postnatal week 1 to week 7, there were no significant differences between dosed animals and saline-treated animals regarding the body weight gains and food consumption during the gestation period. 8. Paclitaxel did not affect the learning ability and memory, spontaneous motor activity or emotionality in F1 rats. 9. The reproductive performance in both male and female F1 rats were not affected by paclitaxel. 10. Splenic weights were reduced in 1.0 mg/kg male and female F1 rats at weaning. Furthermore, liver weights were decreased in 1.0 mg/kg male F1 rats after mating. 11. No influence on prenatal development was observed for F2 fetuses even at the highest dose level of paclitaxel. Based on the reproductive and developmental indices, the no toxic-effect dose level of paclitaxel is 1.0 mg/kg/day and 0.3 mg/kg/day for dams (F0) and their offspring (F1), respectively.