RESUMO
2-Methoxyethanol [2-M.E.] is an alkyl derivative of ethyleneglycol. It is used widely as a solvent in many industrial and domestic products as industrial coating, liquid soap, fingernail polish and an antifreeze additive in hydraulic fluids and jet fuel. So, the present study was conducted on mature female rats to assess the embryotoxic effects of 2-M.E. Sixty mature pregnant rats were randomly divided into six groups each often rats. The first group was used as a control. The second, third and fourth groups were given 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of 2-M.E, applied topically on the skin from the 6 th to 15 th day of pregnancy. The fifth group was given 1000 mg/kg 2-M.E. applied topically on the skin from the day 10 th to 12 th day [3 repeated doses]. The sixth group was given 2000 mg/kg 2-M.E applied topically on the skin in the 12 th day of gestation as a single dose. All foeti of the treated dams were subjected to morphological, skeletal and histopathological study. The study revealed a significant decrease in foetal body weight and crown-rump length of all treated groups as compared to control group. As regard to the reproductive outcome of the present study, there was a significant increase of resorped foeti per litter, which reached the maximal degree of resorption in-group IV [1000 mg/kg as a repeated dose from the 6th to 15 th day of gestation]. The present study revealed a significant increase in congenital malformation as absence of anterior abdominal wall, skull defects, exencephaly and kinked tail in-group III that received 500 mg/kg as compared to control and other treated groups. Subcutaneous haemorrhage was observed in groups II, III and VI. Also, limb hyperflexion was obvious in groups V. VI and II. However, protruded tongue was found in groups II and III only. Skeletal abnormalities detected in this study included polydactly, brachydactly, incomplete ossification of all body bone with skull defect, decrease number of ribs and decrease number of bones of sternum. The present study demonstrated histopathological changes in both liver and kidney in the form of marked dilatation of blood vessels, degeneration and necrosis of some cells with marked congestion between the cells. Finally this study concluded that 2-M.E has high dermal absorption with a wide variety of embryotoxicity. Also, the morphological, reproductive variables and skeletal abnormalities as well as the histopathological changes induced by 2-M.E vary according to the dose, duration of exposure and the period of organogenesis. Women in reproductive age ought to be restricted from working areas of 2-M.E. exposure to avoid its embryotoxic effect