Combined repeated-dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test of benzene, 1,1'-oxybis-, tetrapropylene derivs. in rats.

We have conducted animal toxicity tests of chemicals for a chemical safety program implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan. Here we conducted a combined repeated-dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test of benzene, 1,1'-oxybis-, tetrapropylene derivs. (BOTD). BOTD was administered to 9-week-old Crl:CD(SD) male and female rats by gavage at 0, 40, 200, or 1000 mg/kg/day. Males were treated for 42 days including mating period. Females were treated for 42-53 days through the premating, mating, pregnancy, and until Day 4 of lactation periods. Increases in prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values were observed only in males at 200 and 1000 mg/kg/day. Hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes was observed with increased liver weight in both sexes at 200 and 1000 mg/kg/day, but there was no histologic evidence of hepatotoxicity. Diffuse hypertrophy of follicular cells in thyroid glands was observed in females at 200 mg/kg/day and in both sexes at 1000 mg/kg/day, with an increased blood cholesterol level in females at 1000 mg/kg/day. The conception index was decreased for females at 1000 mg/kg/day; and no abnormalities were detected in the reproductive indices of implantation, delivery, or pups' condition, although a slight increase in the pups' body weight was noted at birth. Our data indicate a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 40 mg/kg/day for repeated-dose toxicity on the basis of the prolongation of blood coagulating time, and of 200 mg/kg/day for reproductive/developmental toxicity on the basis of the decreased conception index.

Combined repeated-dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test of 1-tert-butoxy-4-chlorobenzene in rats.

We have carried out animal toxicity tests of chemicals for a chemical safety program implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan. Here, we tested 1-tert-butoxy-4-chlorobenzene in a combined repeat-dose and developmental and reproductive toxicity test. The test chemical was administered daily by gavage to 9-week-old Crl:CD (SD) rats at doses of 0, 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg/d. Males were treated for 42 d beginning 14 d before mating. Females were treated from 14 d before mating to day 4 of lactation. Decreased spontaneous locomotion, decreased respiratory rate, and incomplete eyelid opening were observed at 500 mg/kg/d (both sexes), but resolved within 30 min of administration, suggesting central nervous system depression. No notable changes were observed in body weight, food consumption, functional battery tests, or blood test. Increased liver weight with centrilobular or diffuse hepatocyte hypertrophy was observed at 100 and 500 mg/kg/d (both sexes). There were no biochemical or histopathological changes related to hepatotoxicity. Increased kidney weight with basophilic tubules, tubule dilatation, and increased hyaline droplets were observed in males dosed at 100 and 500 mg/kg/d. Immunohistochemical staining indicated α2u-globulin nephropathy, a male rat-specific toxicity. Although kidney weight was also increased in females dosed at 500 mg/kg/d, it was not considered to be an adverse effect because there were no histopathological changes. Pup weights on postnatal day 0 were decreased at 500 mg/kg/d and still decreased on postnatal day 4. Our data indicated the no-observed-adverse-effect-level for repeated-dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity for 1-tert-butoxy-4-chlorobenzene was 100 mg/kg/d.

Combined repeated dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test of 4-methoxy-2-nitroaniline in rats.

4-Methoxy-2-nitroaniline (4M2NA) is widely used as an intermediate for the synthesis of dyes, pigments and other chemical compounds. Since 4M2NA has amino-group and nitro-group on the benzene ring, it was expected that it induced obvious hemolytic anemia. We conducted a combined repeated dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test Guideline No. 422 (OECD TG 422) to enrich the toxic information and ensure the safety of 4M2NA. 4M2NA was administered to Crl:CD(SD) male and female rats by gavage at 0, 12.5, 75 or 450 mg/kg/day for 42 to maximum of 54 days through pre-mating, mating, pregnancy and lactation periods. An extramedullary hematopoiesis and congestion in spleen, and higher reticulocyte ratio were noted in only females at 450 mg/kg/day without decreased anemic parameters in the hematological examination. Hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes in both sexes was observed with increased relative liver weight at 450 mg/kg/day. Furthermore, the diffuse follicular cell hypertrophy of the thyroid was observed in females at 450 mg/kg/day. No abnormalities were detected in the reproductive indices of copulation, delivery or fetal viability. We concluded the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for repeated-dose toxicity was 75 mg/kg/day based on the trace evidences of hemolytic anemia, and the NOAEL for reproductive/developmental toxicity as 450 mg/kg/day based on no toxicological concerns for reproductive endpoints. The hemolytic anemia was much milder than expected. Thus, we discussed the reason of this much less hemolytic effect from the point of view of the structural characteristics of 4M2NA.

A subchronic (180-day) oral toxicity study of ethyl tertiary-butyl ether, a bioethanol, in rats.

A subchronic (180-day) toxicity study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), a biomass fuel, in male and female rats. ETBE was administered at dose levels of 0, 5, 25, 100 and 400 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.)/day by gavage. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed at 5, 25 or 100 mg/kg. Centrilobular hypertrophy of hepatocytes was observed in males and females and their relative liver weights were increased, suggesting enhanced metabolic activity. From these results, we concluded that the no observed adverse effect level of ETBE was 100 mg/kg b.w./day under the conditions tested.

Prenatal developmental toxicity study of ethyl tertiary-butyl ether in rats.

Ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE) is commonly used as an oxygenated gasoline additive. In this study, we evaluated its developmental toxicity in rats. ETBE was administered by gavage to 21 or 22 pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats per group at dose levels of 0, 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day from days 5 through 19 postcoitum to assess its effects on pregnant animals and their embryos and fetuses applied to the OECD testing guideline (no. 414) correspondingly. There were no toxicological effects attributable to ETBE regarding clinical signs, body weight, food intake, necropsy or examination at caesarean section in pregnant animals. There were also no toxicological effects on external, visceral and skeletal examinations of embryos and fetuses. These results indicate that, under the conditions of this study, ETBE had no toxicological effects on pregnant rats or their embryos and fetuses and that the no observed adverse effect level was 1000 mg/kg/day both for pregnant rats and their embryos and fetuses.

Combined repeated-dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test of 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole in rats.

The substance 3-amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (AMT, CAS No. 16691-43-3) was daily administered by gavage to Crl:CD (SD)IGS rats at doses of 0 (control), 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg bw/day. Males (12/group) were treated for a total of 42 days beginning 14 days before mating. Females (12/group) were treated beginning 14 days before mating to day 4 of lactation throughout the mating and gestation periods. No deaths occurred in males but three females died on day 23 of gestation at 250 mg/kg/day. Only temporary decreases in body weight and food intake were found in both sexes at 250 mg/kg/day. There were no considerable changes in general appearance, the functional battery tests, biochemical analysis or urinalysis. Anemia was observed in both sexes at 250 mg/kg/day. The relative weight of thyroid glands was significantly increased in both sexes at 250 mg/kg/day and hypertrophy of thyroid follicular cells was observed in 50 and 250 mg/kg/day males and 250 mg/kg/day females. As this effect on thyroid glands was considered to be the major toxicity, the possible mechanism was discussed comparing with the toxicity of structural similar analogs. Other histopathological changes in males were hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes at 250 mg/kg/day, and anterior pituitary glands at 50 mg/kg/day and more. Vacuolization in renal tubular epithelium of females was observed at 50 and 250 mg/kg/day. For reproduction, the gestation period was prolonged and the delivery index was decreased at 250 mg/kg/day. The number of pups born and the birth index were also reduced. It was thus concluded that the NOAEL for repeated-dose toxicity was 10 mg/kg/day based on the thyrotoxicity and renal toxicity, and that the NOAEL for reproductive/developmental toxicity was 50 mg/kg/day based on the reduced number of offspring, etc.

Combined repeated dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test of tert-butylhydrazine monohydrochloride in rats.

tert-Butylhydrazine monohydrochloride was daily administered by gavage to groups of Crl:CD (SD)IGS rats at doses of 0 (control), 0.8, 4, or 20 mg/kg/day. Twelve males per group were treated for a total of 42 days from 14 days before mating. Twelve females per group were treated from 14 days before mating to day 4 of lactation throughout the mating and gestation periods. Recovery groups of five males and five non-pregnant females per group were dosed for 42 days followed by a 14-day recovery period. No deaths were observed in any groups of either sex. There were no considerable changes in body weight, food intake, general appearance, functional observations or biochemical analysis. Values of the anemic parameters were decreased in the 20 mg/kg/day males and in all female dose groups. The relative weight of the liver, kidneys and spleen was significantly increased in 20 mg/kg/day females. Histopathological examination showed congestion and hemosiderin deposition in the spleen at 20 mg/kg/day in both sexes, but there were no changes in the liver or kidneys in either sex. Anemic parameters with hemosiderin deposition did not completely recover in the 20 mg/kg/day group in both sexes after the recovery period. As for reproduction, a significant reduction was only observed in the number of corpora lutea at 20 mg/kg/day. It was thus concluded that the LOAEL was 0.8 mg/kg/day based on the decreased values of the anemic parameters of repeated-dose toxicity, and that the NOAEL was 4 mg/kg/day based on the low number of corpora lutea of reproductive/developmental toxicity.

A two-generation reproductive toxicity study of 4-nitrotoluene in rats.

4-Nitrotoluene (4-NT) was administered orally at doses of 0, 40, 80, or 160 mg/kg/day by gavage to 24 Crj:CD (SD)IGS rats of each sex per group over two successive generations, and the effects on reproductive capacity in the parental animals and growth and development of the offspring were investigated. In the F0 and F1 parents, increased hepatic and/or renal weights were observed at the doses of 40 mg/kg or more in both generations, with lowered body weights in the F1 case and reduced feeding efficiency, histopathological changes in the kidney and spleen at doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg, as well as worsening of clinical signs and death during the perinatal period at 160 mg/kg in both generations. With regard to effects on the reproductive capacity, reduced vaginal opening was observed at 160 mg/kg in the F1 generation. However, no abnormalities were observed in the endocrine and reproductive organs or in serum hormone levels. In the F1 and F2 offspring, decrease in body weight gain and brain weights was observed at the doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg and reduced viability, with elongation or a tendency for elongation of the male anogenital distance at 160 mg/kg. Thus, the possibility that 4-NT exerted endocrine disrupting effects seems to be very low under the conditions of this study, and when the substance was administered to rats over two generations, doses less than 160 mg/kg/day did not induce any marked adverse effects on the reproductive capacity in the parental animals, with the no observed effect level (NOEL) and the no observed adverse effect (NOAEL) on growth and development in the offspring concluded to be 40 mg/kg/day.

A two-generation reproductive toxicity study of butyl benzyl phthalate in rats.

A two-generation reproductive toxicity study with extra parameters was performed for Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP). The compound was administered orally by gavage with the doses of 0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day to groups of 24 Crj:CD (SD)IGS rats of both sexes to confirm the utility of the protocol for identification of non-steroid chemicals with endocrine activity by ssessing effects on parental animals and offspring. Softening of the testes, diffuse atrophy of testicular seminiferous tubules, decreased spermatozoa and/or residual germ cells in the epididymal lumina were observed in the F1generation after doses more than 100 mg/kg, lowering of the F1 epididymal weights at doses more than 200 mg/kg, along with low F0 epididymal weights, Leydig cell hyperplasia, residual germ cells in the epidimymal lumina, and low seminal vesicle weights, small testes and epididymes, partial aplasia or aplasia of the epididymes, and Leydig cell hyperplasia in the F1 generation with 400 mg/kg. With regard to effects on the reproductive capacity, F1 parents at the dose of 400mg/kg showed a reduced fertility index and delayed preputial separation of the penis. In the offspring, lowered body weights in the F1 case, and change in anogenital distance in the F1 females and F2 males were observed at doses more than 100 mg/kg, with low splenic weights at 400 mg/kg in both generations. Thus, the utility of this protocol was confirmed. In the parental animals, the no observed effect level (NOEL) and the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) were less than 100 mg/kg/day, and no serious effects on the reproductive capacity were induced at doses less than 200 mg/kg/day. The NOEL and NOAEL for the growth and development of offspring were concluded to be less than 100 mg/kg/day.