Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the inhibitive effect of vitamin C(VC)on embryonic development toxicity induced by formaldehyde in mice.MethodsKunming mice embryos were incubated together with formaldehyde(9,27,and 81μmol/L)and VC(100μg/mL),respectively,with whole embryo culture method.The development of mice embryos was then a ssessed.ResultsWhen the concentration of formaldehyde was 9μmol/L,the increa ses of head lengh (1.66±0.21mm),cranialarm length(3.48±0.40mm),glutathione(GSH)(47.70±2.12mg/g prot)and malona ldehyde (MDA)(4.27±0.62nmol/mg·prot)were significantly different(P<0.05)from those of the control group.When the concentration was 27μmol/L,the increases of embryo visceral yolk sac(VYS)diameter(4.35±0.65mm),head lengh (1.48±0.30 mm),cranial arm length(3.19±0.43mm),number of arthromera pairs(25.2±1.2)and GSH (40.25±4.38mg/g·prot)and the decrease of MDA(6.29±0.47nmol/mg·prot)were observed with significant differences(P<0.05)copared with tha t of the control group.VC could improve the indexes but there was no significant difference between the control group and the VC group(P>0.05).The toxic injury induced by form aldehyde(81μmol/L) could not be improved with VC significantly.ConclusionV Cinhibits embryonic development to xicity induced by certain dose of formaldehyde.