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Maternal and developmental toxicity evaluation of melatonin administered orally to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats.

Melatonin (MEL) is a widely used, over-the-counter sleep aid, and it has putative contraceptive, antioxidant, antiaging, and anticancer effects. The developmental toxicity potential for repeated oral doses of MEL had not previously been evaluated. In the present studies, time-mated, Sprague-Dawley-derived (CD) rats were administered MEL or vehicle by gavage on gestation days (gd) 6-19. MEL-treated groups received 1-, 10-, 100-, 150-, or 200-mg/kg body weight/day in the screening study (15 rats/group), and 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day in the definitive study (25 rats/group). In both studies, maternal food/water consumption, body weight, and clinical signs were monitored at regular intervals throughout gestation. At termination (gd 20, both studies), maternal liver and gravid uterine weights, number of ovarian corpora lutea, conceptus survival, fetal sex, and fetal body weight were evaluated. Fetal morphological examination included external structures (both studies) as well as visceral and skeletal structures (definitive study). In the screening study, maternal serum levels of 17beta-estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and luteinizing hormone were determined by radioimmunoassay, and mammary tissue was fixed, stained, and evaluated for percent glandular area within the fat pad. No maternal morbidity/mortality was found in either study. In the screening study, aversion to treatment (> or =100 mg/kg/day) and reduced maternal weight gain (> or =150 mg/kg/day) were noted, but reproductive/endocrine parameters and fetal development were not affected. In the definitive study, aversion to treatment was noted at > or =50 mg/kg/day, and mild sedation, reduced maternal food intake, and reduced body weight gain were found during initial treatment with 200 mg/kg/day. MEL had no effect on prenatal survival, fetal body weight, or incidences of fetal malformations/variations. Thus, in the definitive study, the maternal toxicity NOAEL and LOAEL were 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, and the developmental toxicity NOAEL was > or =200 mg/kg/day.

Animals↗

A recommended protocol for the Chernoff/Kavlock preliminary developmental toxicity test and a proposed method for assigning priority scores based on results of that test.

Recommendations are made for a standard protocol for the Chernoff/Kavlock preliminary developmental toxicity test, and a weighted scoring system is proposed to provide a numerical prioritization. Protocol recommendations include use of pregnant animals for dose-finding studies and, in the testing phase, treatment on gestation days 6-15 at an overtly maternally toxic dose. This treatment period corresponds to the usual timing of a teratology test and provides an improved data base in the event a conventional test is deemed appropriate. Five indices of potential developmental toxicity are: the proportion of pregnant survivors at term that produces a viable litter (at least one liveborn pup), average litter size and pup weight at birth, and average neonatal survival and body weight gain to 3 days of age. Neither systematic examinations of pups (living or dead) for malformations nor counts of dead pups are considered productive. In the proposed method for point scores, each of the five indices is assigned a point value that varies according to broad classes of maternal toxicity. The maximum total point value is 22. When there is no statistically significant difference between treated and control groups, the assigned value is subtracted from 22. If there is a statistically significant treatment effect, or if statistics cannot be applied, then no points are subtracted. The points remaining after all five indices are considered constitute the priority score, which may range from 0 (low) to 22 (high priority).

Animals↗

Reproductive and developmental toxicity of natural and depleted uranium: a review.

Although the biokinetics, metabolism, and chemical toxicity of uranium are well known, until recently little attention was paid to the potential toxic effects of uranium on reproduction and development in mammals. In recent years, it has been shown that uranium is a developmental toxicant when given orally or subcutaneously (SC) to mice. Decreased fertility, embryo/fetal toxicity including teratogenicity, and reduced growth of the offspring have been observed following uranium exposure at different gestation periods. The reproductive toxicity, maternal toxicity, embryo/fetal toxicity, and postnatal effects of uranium, as well as the prevention by chelating agents of uranium-induced maternal and developmental toxicity are reviewed here. Data on the toxic effects of depleted uranium on reproduction and development are also reviewed.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Protective effects of glucose-6-phosphate and NADP against alpha-chaconine-induced developmental toxicity in Xenopus embryos.

In previous studies a metabolic activation system (MAS) composed of Aroclor 1254-induced rat liver microsomes led to an apparent reduction of potato glycoalkaloid developmental toxicity in the frog embryo teratogenesis assay-Xenopus (FETAX). The reasons for this reduction were investigated in this study. The effect of the exogenous MAS on glycoalkaloid developmental toxicity was examined in two experiments in which a concentration series of alpha-chaconine was tested with a MAS with and without a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADPH) generator system consisting of NADPH, oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADP), glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. The NADPH generator system and each of its individual components were tested at a single high concentration of alpha-chaconine to evaluate their potential effects on toxicity. The findings indicated that the protective effect of the MAS was not the result of detoxification by microsomal enzyme systems, but was caused by two components of the NADPH generator system, namely NADP and G6P. G6P was more protective of alpha-chaconine-induced toxicity than NADP at the concentrations tested. Thus, FETAX with a MAS must be performed with appropriate controls that take into account the possible interactions with individual components of the system.

Animals↗

Developmental toxicity and pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous phenytoin in the rat.

Correlations between oral and intravenous (i.v.) doses of phenytoin, maternal plasma levels, and subsequent developmental toxicity were examined in the Sprague-Dawley rat. Oral administration of 150 to 1500 mg/kg and i.v. administration of 25 to 100 mg/kg phenytoin from gestational days (GD) 8 to 17 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in maternal death and toxicity [impaired motor function, decreased maternal weight gain (oral dose only)], embryolethality, and intrauterine growth retardation, in addition to significant increases in craniofacial (1125 mg/kg oral; 75 mg/kg i.v.) and urogenital (1125 mg/kg oral) malformations. Pharmacokinetic sampling in oral and i.v. groups on GD 8-9 and 16-17 revealed significant increases in maternal drug exposure over the treatment period, as evidenced by 2- to 3-fold increases in total plasma phenytoin (bound + free) half-life, area under the concentration curve, peak concentration (oral dose only), and decreases in clearance. These findings emphasize the importance of pharmacokinetics in the evaluation of phenytoin-induced developmental toxicity.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Comparative developmental toxicity of butyltin trichloride, dibutyltin dichloride and tributyltin chloride in rats.

Butyltin trichloride (BT), dibutyltin dichloride (DBT) and tributyltin chloride (TBT) were compared for their developmental toxicity including teratogenic potential following administration during the susceptible period for the teratogenesis of DBT. Pregnant rats were given either BT at a dose of 1000, 1500 or 2000 mg kg-1, DBT at a dose of 10 or 15 mg kg-1 or TBT at a dose of 40 or 80 mg kg-1 by gastric intubation on days 7 and 8 of pregnancy. Although maternal toxicity occurred, as evidenced by a significantly increased maternal lethality at 1500 and 2000 mg kg-1 and decreased maternal weight gain at 1000 and 1500 mg kg-1, no significant increase in the incidences of postimplantation loss and malformed fetuses were observed after treatment with BT. Treatment with DBT resulted in a significantly lower maternal weight gain, lower fetal weight and higher postimplantation embryolethality. A significantly and markedly increased incidence of fetuses with malformations, such as exencephaly, cleft jaw, cleft lip, ankyloglossia, club foot, deformity of the vertebral column in the cervical and thoracic regions and of the ribs and ano- or microphthalmia, was observed in both groups treated with DBT. While treatment with TBT at 40 and 80 mg kg-1 caused a significantly decreased maternal weight gain and increased postimplantation embryolethality, no significantly increased incidence of malformed fetuses occurred. It could be concluded that BT, DBT and TBT are different in the susceptibility and spectrum of developmental toxicity.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Developmental toxicity of subcutaneously administered meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid in mice.

meso-2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a water-soluble effective antidote for the treatment of heavy-metal intoxications. Information concerning the developmental toxicity of DMSA, however, has not been available. In order to determine the potential developmental toxicity of DMSA, pregnant Swiss mice were given 0, 410, 820, or 1640 mg DMSA/kg/day subcutaneously on Days 6-15 of gestation. Maternal effects included a significant reduction in weight gain during the exposure and postexposure periods at 1640 mg/kg/day. Food consumption was similar to controls at all doses levels except for the high dose group in the post-treatment period. Results of hematological and serum biochemical analyses in the DMSA-treated groups were comparable to those of the controls. However, in light of the pronounced effects on maternal weight gain the dose of 1640 mg/kg/day would be maternally toxic. Significant increases in the number of resorptions and the incidence of stunting were found, along with a significant decrease in the number of live fetuses per litter, when the 1640 mg/kg/day group was compared with the controls. Significant reductions in fetal body weight and fetal body length means were also found when the 820 and 1640 mg/kg/day groups were compared with the controls. Consequently, these results indicate that DMSA would be embryo-toxic to mice at 1640 mg/kg/day and fetotoxic at 820 mg/kg/day. In contrast, very slight fetotoxicity was observed at 410 mg/kg/day. Gross external, internal soft tissue, and skeletal examinations of the fetuses revealed that DMSA was teratogenic in the mouse when given subcutaneously at 820 and 1640 mg/kg/day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The evaluation of developmental toxicity of chemicals exposed occupationally using whole embryo culture.

The purpose of this study was to employ the whole embryo culture (WEC) system to evaluate the developmental toxicity of industrial chemicals. Five chemicals including lead, cadmium, vinyl chloride, 1,2-dichloroethan, and carbon disulphide were tested in our laboratory both in vitro and in vivo (except lead). In vitro studies showed that cadmium and lead were teratogenic in the rat; whilst carbon disulphide, 1,2-dichloroethan and vinyl chloride mainly induced embryo growth retardation. The in vitro effects on development of the five industrial chemicals were similar to the effects in vivo. The in vitro effects were studied by three different exposure routes, direct exposure--chemicals added to the culture medium; indirect exposure--serum prepared from treated rats then used as culture medium, and pre-exposure--embryos treated maternally then explanted into control (untreated) culture medium. Comparing these three different exposure routes suggests that the last exposure route is the most effective when using WEC to evaluate developmental toxicity of industrial chemicals. The effects on embryo development of culturing in sera prepared from subjects occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs (ADs) was also tested by the WEC system. Embryos were cultured with human serum that was thought to contain ADs or ADs' metabolic materials (serum taken from nurses routinely handling ADs), to evaluate the effects of ADs on embryo development. Embryos (9.5-day) cultured with serum from 11 female nurses who had been handling ADs for 2-17 years in the oncology department all survived, but showed slight growth retardation. Embryos cultured with serum from 30 healthy and unexposed people served as controls and embryo development in their serum was normal.

Animals↗

The developmental toxicity of ethylene glycol diethyl ether in mice and rabbits.

Timed-pregnant CD-1 outbred Albino Swiss mice and New Zealand White rabbits were dosed by gavage with ethylene glycol diethyl ether (EGdiEE) in distilled water during major organogenesis. Mice were dosed on Gestational Days (gd) 6 through 15 (0, 50, 150, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day) and rabbits on gd 6 through 19 (0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day). Maternal clinical status was monitored daily during treatment. At termination (gd 17, mice; gd 30, rabbits), confirmed-pregnant females (22-24 per group, mice; 26-32 per group, rabbits) were evaluated for clinical status and gestational outcome; each live fetus was examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. In mice, no maternal mortality was observed, but maternal body weight gain during gestation and treatment, and at termination was reduced at 1000 mg/kg/day. The reduction of maternal body weight gain during gestation was secondary to embryo/fetal toxicity, i.e., reduced gravid uterine weight as a consequence of decreased litter size and fetal weight. The no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for developmental toxicity was 50 mg/kg/day. At greater than or equal to 150 mg/kg/day the number of litters of mice with malformed fetuses was increased. At greater than or equal to 500 mg/kg/day fetal body weight was reduced, and malformation incidence was significantly increased. Exencephaly and fused ribs were observed most often. In rabbits, maternal body weight was unaffected by treatment even though 6% maternal mortality was observed at 100 mg/kg/day. The developmental NOAEL was 25 mg/kg/day. Malformations were increased at greater than or equal to 50 mg/kg/day; short tail, small spleen, fused sternebrae, and fused rib cartilage were observed most often. In summary, oral administration of EGdiEE to mice and rabbits during organogenesis produced profound adverse developmental effects even in the absence of significant maternal toxicity. Developmental effects in rabbits were more varied.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Tests for trend in developmental toxicity experiments with correlated binary data.

In this article, the operating characteristics of recently proposed tests for trend in correlated binary data arising in laboratory studies of developmental toxicity are examined using both computer-generated and experimental data. Specifically, we consider adjusted Cochran-Armitge tests based on the Rao-Scott transformation which are of the same general form as that for uncorrelated data. In addition, generalized score tests based on generalized estimating equations allowing for extrabinomial variation in the data are discussed. Specific forms of these statistics demonstrating favorable type I and type II error rates are identified and recommended for use in practice. The application of these tests is illustrated using data from studies of developmental toxicity that have been reported in the literature.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Acute, subchronic, and developmental toxicity and genotoxicity of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a).

The toxicity potential of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane (HFC-143a), a CFC alternative, was evaluated in several acute, subchronic, and developmental toxicity studies by the inhalation route and in genotoxicity studies. HFC-143a has a very low acute inhalation toxicity potential as shown by a 4-hr LC50 of > 540,000 ppm in rats. HFC-143A has a low potential to induce cardiac sensitization in experimental screening studies in dogs; only the highest concentration tested--300,000 ppm--elicited a cardiac sensitization response. In an initial 4-week nose-only inhalation study, male and female rats were exposed 6 hr/day, 5 days/week at concentrations of 0, 2000, 10,000, or 40,000 ppm. Females showed no evidence of toxicity at any exposure level; male rats did exhibit degenerative changes only in the tests at all exposure levels. However, because of exposure system irregularities, which resulted in excessive temperature conditions and stress in the HFC-143a-exposed groups, the study was repeated in male rats exposed by whole-body inhalation. In this repeat study no toxicity was observed at < or = 40,000 ppm. Moreover, a subsequent 90-day whole-body inhalation study in rats exposed 6 hr/day, 5 days/week at 0, 2000, 10,000, or 40,000 ppm resulted in no evidence of toxicity at any exposure concentration. The results of the second 4-week and the 90-day studies using whole-body exposures indicate that the findings from the first 4-week study were related to the stress induced by excessive temperatures and nose-only restraint. Therefore, the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for rats repeatedly exposed up to 90 days was considered to be 40,000 ppm. In developmental toxicity studies with rats and rabbits, an increase in visceral variations or skeletal malformations was observed, respectively, at HFC-143a concentrations of 2000, 10,000 or 40,000 ppm (rat) or at the low and high concentrations (rabbit). Because of the unusually low control incidence of variations (1.6% per litter in the control versus 6.8-16.8% for historical control values), the lack of a clear dose-response relationship, and the lack of other developmental effects, these findings were not considered related to HFC-143a exposure. In addition, results from genotoxicity studies (Ames, chromosomal aberration with human lymphocytes, mouse micronucleus) demonstrated that HFC-143a was not mutagenic.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of S-1090, cefmatilen hydrochloride hydrate (1)--A study on oral administration prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy in rats].

Cefmatilen hydrochloride hydrate (S-1090) was administered daily by gavage to rats at doses of 100, 300 or 1000 mg potency/kg/day prior to and in the early stage of pregnancy to assess its adverse effects on parental reproductive ability and embryo-fetal development. Loose and/or reddish brown feces were observed in both males and females of all the S-1090 dosing groups, and abdominal distention was also observed in males throughout the dosing period. No drug-related deaths occurred in either males or females. In males, body weight and food consumption were increased at a dose of 1000 mg potency/kg/day throughout the dosing period. In females, body weight gain was restrained during late pregnancy, and food consumption was decreased transiently following the initiation of dosing, and then remained high on the day before parturition in all the S-1090 dosing groups. Necropsy of male and female rats revealed an increase in the cecum weight. The reproductive ability of males and females was normal in all the S-1090 dosing groups. No effects of S-1090 were observed in the implantation ratio, embryo-fetal viability, fetal body weight, and incidence of external, skeletal and visceral anomalies. Based on these results, the no observed adverse effect levels of S-1090 are estimated to be less than 100 mg potency/kg/day for parental general toxicity, 1000 mg potency/kg/day for reproductive toxicity, and 1000 mg potency/kg/day for developmental toxicity in embryo-fetuses under the conditions of the present study.

Administration, Oral↗

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of S-1090, cefmatilen hydrochloride hydrate (4)--A study on oral administration during the perinatal and lactation periods in rats].

Cefmatilen hydrochloride hydrate (S-1090) was administered daily by gavage to female rats at doses of 100, 300 or 1000 mg potency/kg/day from Day 17 of pregnancy to Day 20 of lactation to assess its effects on pregnant/lactating females and on development of the offspring. In dams, loose feces/reddish brown feces, increased cecum weight, decreased weights of the heart, spleen and submaxillary gland in all the S-1090 dosing groups and a decreased weight of the thymus in the 1000 mg potency/kg dosing group were observed. However, no effects on parturition and lactation were observed in any of the dosing groups. In F1 offspring, although increased cecum weight was found at weaning in all the S-1090 dosing groups, no abnormalities in viability, physical development, sensory functions/reflexes, behavior and reproductive function were observed. No adverse effects were observed in F2 fetuses and offspring. On the basis of these results, the no observed adverse effect levels of S-1090 are estimated to be less than 100 mg potency/kg/day for maternal general toxicity, and 1000 mg potency/kg/day for maternal reproductive toxicity and for developmental and reproductive toxicity in offspring under the conditions of the present study.

Administration, Oral↗

Comparative developmental toxicity of di-, tri- and tetrabutyltin compounds after administration during late organogenesis in rats.

Dibutyltin dichloride (DBT), tributyltin chloride (TrBT) and tetrabutyltin (TeBT) were compared for their developmental toxicity and teratogenic potential following administration during the susceptible period for teratogenesis of TrBT. Pregnant rats were given either DBT or TrBT at a dose of 165 or 330 mumol kg-1 or TrBT at a dose of 330, 660, 1320, 2640 or 5280 mumol kg-1 on days 13-15 of pregnancy. Treatment with DBT at 165 and 330 mumol kg-1 caused a significant decrease in the maternal body weight gain. A significant decrease in the fetal weight occurred at 165 and 330 mumol kg-1. No significantly increased incidences of postimplantation loss or of fetuses with malformations were found following treatment with DBT. Treatment with TrBT at 165 and 330 mumol kg-1 resulted in a significant decrease in the maternal weight gain. A significant decrease in the fetal weight was found at 330 mumol kg-1. A significantly and markedly increased incidence of fetuses with cleft palate was noted in both groups treated with TrBT. Treatment with TeBT caused a significantly decreased maternal body weight gain at doses of 660 mumol kg-1 and above. A significantly increased incidence of fetuses with cleft palate was observed at a dose of 5280 mumol kg-1. It could be concluded that there is a difference in the manifestation and degree of developmental toxicity between DBT, TrBT and TeBT.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Developmental toxicity of dermally applied crude oils in rats.

Two crude oils, differing in viscosity (V) and nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) content, were evaluated for pre- and postnatal developmental toxicity. In Crude I (low V, low N, low S) studies, the material was applied neat to the clipped backs of pregnant rats at dose levels of 0, 125, 500, 1000 (postnatal only), and 2000 (prenatal only) mg/kg. In Crude II (high V, high N, moderate S) studies, the oil was applied similarly but at dose levels of 0, 30, 125, and 500 mg/kg. Rats were exposed to the crude oils on gestation days (GD) 0-19; application sites were not covered. "Prenatal" rats were killed on GD 20. "Postnatal" rats were allowed to deliver naturally; surviving dams and litters were killed 3-4 wk postpartum. Both crude oils produced maternal and developmental toxicity. Adverse fetal effects included increased in utero death, decreased body weight, and reduced ossification of skeletal elements. Parturition was delayed in Crude II dams at 500 mg/kg. The 4-d viability index was decreased in all Crude II-exposed groups. Pup body weights were decreased by each oil, but at the high dose only. Prenatal effects are probably related to polynuclear aromatic compounds (PAC) found in petroleum. The cause(s) of delayed parturition and postnatal toxicity have not been determined.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Pretreatment with periodate-oxidized adenosine enhances developmental toxicity of inorganic arsenic in mice.

BACKGROUND: Inorganic arsenic, given by injection to pregnant laboratory animals, can induce malformations. Arsenic methylation can be inhibited by periodate-oxidized adenosine (PAD). Severe human health effects from high chronic arsenic exposure have mainly been reported in populations with significant levels of malnutrition, which may enhance toxicity by diminishing arsenic methylating capacity. This study sought to determine the effect of inhibition of arsenic methylation on the developmental toxicity of arsenic in a mammalian model. METHODS: PAD (100 microM/kg, i.p.), was given to pregnant CD-1 strain mice 30 min before 7.5mg/kg sodium arsenite [As(III)], i.p., or 17.9 mg/kg sodium arsenate [As(V)], i.p., on gestation day 8 (GD 8; copulation plug = GD 0). Control dams received As(III), As(V), or PAD alone or were untreated. Test dams were killed on GD 17, and their litters were examined for mortality and gross and skeletal defects. RESULTS: Pretreatment with PAD before either arsenical resulted in increased maternal toxicity and lower fetal weights. Pretreatment also caused higher prenatal mortality, with 8 of 21 and 5 of 17 litters totally resorbed in the PAD plus As(III) and PAD plus As(V) treatment groups, respectively. Significant increases in the incidences of exencephaly, ablepharia, and anomalies of the vertebral centra, sternebrae, and ribs were also associated with PAD pretreatment. Short tail (3 fetuses in 3 litters) was seen only following PAD plus As(III) treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the developmental toxicity of inorganic arsenic can be enhanced by PAD, due possibly to inhibited methylation of arsenic.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Developmental toxicities of methacrylic acid, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, and allyl methacrylate in rats following inhalation exposure.

The developmental toxicities of 4 methacrylates were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats after inhalation exposure for 6 h/day, during days 6 to 20 of gestation. The exposure concentrations were, for methacrylic acid, 0, 50, 100, 200, or 300 ppm; for ethyl methacrylate, 0, 600, 1200, 1800, or 2400 ppm; for n-butyl methacrylate, 0, 100, 300, 600, or 1200 ppm; and for allyl methacrylate, 0, 12, 25, 50, or 100 ppm. No significant increases in embryo/fetal lethality or fetal malformations were observed after exposure to any of these methacrylates. Fetal toxicity evidenced by statistically significant decreases in fetal body weights was observed at exposure levels > or = 1200 ppm ethyl methacrylate, > or = 600 ppm n-butyl methacrylate, and at 100 ppm allyl methacrylate. Statistically significant increases in the incidence of fetuses with skeletal variations and of fetuses with any variations were noted at 1200 ppm n-butyl methacrylate. These developmental effects were observed in the presence of overt signs of maternal toxicity. While maternal toxicity was observed, methacrylic acid caused no evidence of developmental toxicity up to 300 ppm.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Developmental toxicity of diglyme by inhalation in the rat.

Diglyme (Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, CAS No. 111-96-6) is a glycol ether which has been used in solvent formulations. To assess the potential developmental toxicity of this chemical, groups of pregnant Crl:CD BR rats were exposed to either 0 (control, room air only), 25, 100, or 400 ppm diglyme by inhalation for 6 hrs/day for Days 7 through 16 or gestation (day on which the copulation plug was detected was designation Day 1 G). All female rats were euthanized on day 21G and the fetuses were examined. An additional group of rats was treated with 25 ppm 2-methoxethanol (2ME) to serve as a positive control and for comparison of relative potencies. Maternal toxicity evident as depressed feed consumption at 400 ppm and increased liver weights at 100 ppm. There were no dams in the 400 ppm group with live fetuses (all litters consisted on resorbed conceptuses). Embryo viability was unaffected by concentrations of diglyme as high as 100 ppm. 2ME produced increased liver weights and depressed feed consumption at 25 ppm. Embryo-fetal toxicity was evident as a concentration-related decrease in fetal weight at diglyme concentrations as high as 100 ppm (and with 2ME). There were no fetuses derived from the 400 ppm diglyme-treated dams. A low incidence of structural malformations was observed in all diglyme groups (as well as with 2ME). The incidence of variations, (primarily delayed skeletal ossification and rudimentary ribs) was increased in the 25 and 100 ppm diglyme groups. The incidence and severity in the diglyme and 2ME groups exposed to 25 ppm was essentially the same suggesting similar potency for producing structural variations. In this study, diglyme was embryolethal at 400 ppm; a level that otherwise was only marginally toxic to the dam. Maternal and fetal toxicity also were demonstrated at 100 ppm. Although the fetal defects detected following diglyme exposure at 25 ppm were not significantly different from control values (with the exception of the incidence of skeletal developmental variations), the pattern, type, and incidence of variations were similar to those seen at 100 ppm, suggesting that 25 ppm was an effect level that approaches the lower end of the developmental toxicity response curve. Therefore, the no-observable-effect level (NOEL) for diglyme exposure in the dam is 25 ppm and a NOEL was not clearly demonstrated for the conceptus.

Administration, Inhalation↗