1,2,3,6-tetrahydromethyl-3,6-methanophthalic anhydride

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Effects on fertility

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Endpoint:

one-generation reproductive toxicity

Remarks:

based on test type (migrated information)

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

From 2012-05-09 to 2012-06-25

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study conducted in accordance with current test methods and in compliance with GLP regulations

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Limit test:

no

Species:

rat

Strain:

Wistar

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Toxi-Coop Zrt., Hungary
- Age at study initiation: 68 - 74 days (males and females)
- Weight at study initiation: 287 - 345 g (males); 159 - 196 g (females)
- Fasting period before study: No
- Housing: Before mating - 2 animals of the same sex/cage; During mating - 1 male and 1 female/cage; Pregnant females – individually; Males after mating - 2 animals/cage
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Ssniff SM R/M-Z+H complete rodent diet, ad libitum
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Municipal supply, ad libitum
- Acclimation period: 6 days

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 19 - 25 deg C
- Humidity (%): 30 - 70% RH
- Air changes (per hr): 8 - 12
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12 / 12

IN-LIFE DATES: From: 2012-05-09 To: 2012-06-25

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

vegetable oil

Remarks:

Sunflower oil

Details on exposure:

PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:

VEHICLE
- Justification for use and choice of vehicle (if other than water): Substance unstable in aqueous media
- Concentration in vehicle: 1.4, 4.0 and 10.0 mg/mL
- Amount of vehicle (if gavage): 5 mL/kg body weight

Details on mating procedure:

- M/F ratio per cage: 1:1
- Length of cohabitation: Until mating (within 6 days except for 1 pair which took 11 days for mating to be confirmed)
- Proof of pregnancy: vaginal plug / sperm in vaginal smear referred to as day 0 of pregnancy
- After successful mating each pregnant female was caged: Individually
- Any other deviations from standard protocol: No

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

Performed twice during the study. Concentration of the test item in the dosing formulations varied in the range of 95% to 105% relative to nominal values.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Males - 42 days; starting 2 weeks before mating
Females - 41 - 47 days, depending on date of mating; Those with living pups dosed for 14 days pre-mating, during mating period, through gestation and up to lactation days 3-10. Non-pregnant animals were treated up to and including the day before necropsy (for 42 days)

Frequency of treatment:

Daily, 7 days/week

Details on study schedule:

- Age at mating of the mated animals in the study: 12-13 weeks

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:
0, 7, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight
Basis:

No. of animals per sex per dose:

12 males / 12 females

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: Based on outcome of 14-day preliminary study
- Rationale for animal assignment: Random

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Daily, after treatment
- Cage side observations included: General clinical observations including behavioural changes.

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Weekly

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Males - weekly; Females - weekly with additional measurements on gestation days 10 and 17 and post-partum days 0 and 4

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE):
- Food consumption determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Males - weekly; Females - weekly with additional measurements on post-partum days 0 and 4

WATER CONSUMPTION: No

OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: No

HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: On termination
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes - Isofluran
- Animals fasted: Yes - Overnight
- How many animals: 5 males / 5 females / treatment group
- Parameters examined: Leucocyte count, erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, reticulocyte count, differential leucocyte count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: On termination
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes - Isofluran
- Animals fasted: Yes - Overnight
- How many animals: 5 males / 5 females / treatment group
- Parameters examined: Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase,, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, bile acids, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, inorganic phosphate, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride,

URINALYSIS: No

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Last week of treatment
- Dose groups that were examined: 5 males / 5 females from each treatment group
- Battery of functions tested: sensory activity / grip strength / motor activity

Oestrous cyclicity (parental animals):

No

Sperm parameters (parental animals):

Parameters examined in male parental generations:
testis weight, epididymis weight, spermatogenic staging

Litter observations:

STANDARDISATION OF LITTERS
- Performed on day 4 postpartum: no - study terminated at that point

PARAMETERS EXAMINED
The following parameters were examined in F1offspring:
number and sex of pups, stillbirths, live births, postnatal mortality, presence of gross anomalies, weight gain, physical or behavioural abnormalities

GROSS EXAMINATION OF DEAD PUPS:
yes, for external and internal abnormalities; possible cause of death was determined for pups born or found dead.

Postmortem examinations (parental animals):

GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes
Examination of external appearance, appearance of the tissues and organs examined after opening of the cranial, thoracic and abdominal cavities. Abnormalities recorded with details of location, color, shape and size. Special attention was paid to the organs of the reproductive system. The number of implantation sites and of corpora lutea was recorded.
Organ weights: All males - testes, epididymides, brain. 5 males/5 females/group - Adrenal glands, Brain, Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, Thymus
Tissues fixed and preserved: (from all animals) - Uterus with cervix, vagina, testes, epididymides (total and cauda), prostate, seminal vesicles with coagulating glands, ovaries, pituitary and all organs showing macroscopic lesions. (from 5 males/5 females/group) – Abnormalities, Adrenal glands, Aorta, Bone marrow (from femur), Brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata), Caecum, Colon, Duodenum, Epididymides, Eyes, Mammary area, Heart, Ileum, Jejunum (including Peyer’s patches), Kidneys, Liver, Lungs (including mainstem bronchi), Lymph nodes - submandibular, Lymph nodes - mesenteric, Oesophagus, Ovaries, Pancreas, Pituitary gland, Prostate gland, Rectum, Salivary glands, Sciatic nerve, Seminal vesicles with coagulating gland, Skeletal muscle, Skin, Spinal cord (cervical, mid-thoracic, lumbar), Spleen, Sternum, Stomach, Testes, Thymus, Thyroid, Trachea, Urinary bladder, Uterus – cervix, Vagina

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes
Tissues examined - Ovaries, uterus, vagina, pituitary, testes and epididymides (with special emphasis on stages of spermatogenesis in the male gonads and histopathology of interstitial testicular cell structure) of the animals in the control and high dose groups and non-pregnant females and corresponding cohabited males. Examination of the ovaries covered the follicular, luteal, and interstitial compartments of the ovary, as well as the epithelial capsule and ovarian stroma. Full examinations undertaken on the preserved organs and tissues of the randomly selected animals in the control and high dose groups and in dead animals. Examination of kidneys was extended to 5 animals/sex from the low- and mid-dose groups.

Postmortem examinations (offspring):

SACRIFICE
- The F1 offspring were sacrificed at 4 days of age.
- These animals were subjected to postmortem examinations (macroscopic examination) as follows:

GROSS NECROPSY
- Gross necropsy consisted of external examination

Statistics:

Homogeneity of variance between groups was checked by Bartlett’s homogeneity of variance test.
Where no significant heterogeneity was detected a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out. If the obtained result was significant Duncan Multiple Range test was used to assess the significance of inter-group differences.
Where the result of the Bartlett’s test was significant the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was used and the inter-group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U-test.
Chi2 test was performed if feasible.
The frequency of clinical signs, pathology and histopathology findings were calculated.

Reproductive indices:

Mating index, fertility index, gestation index

Offspring viability indices:

Pre-implantation loss, post-implantation loss, intra-uterine mortality, post-natal mortality, sex ratio, survival index, body weight

Clinical signs:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Mortality in 2 females dosed at 50 mg/kg/day

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Reduced in females dosed at 50 and 20 mg/kg/day

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Reduced in females dosed at 50 and 20 mg/kg/day

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

effects observed, treatment-related

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Kidneys, males and females dosed at 50 mg/kg/day

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:

not examined

Reproductive function: sperm measures:

no effects observed

Reproductive performance:

no effects observed

CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
One female dosed at 50 mg/kg/day found dead on postpartum day 4 (Day 42). Piloerection, decreased activity, pale skin and mucous membranes, narrow eye orifices, reddish fur around the eyes and body weight loss were observed between lactation days 2 and 3. Histological investigation revealed serious catarrhal-purulent pyelitis and groups of bacteria in the kidneys to be the probable cause of death. This finding was considered as an individual disease (probably ascending bacterial infection via the urinary tract.)
A second female of the same treatment group was euthanized in moribund conditions on gestation day 21 (Day 45). Piloerection, prone position, marked activity decrease, body tone decrease and dyspnoea as well as paleness were observed. Acute alveolar emphysema and haemorrhages were detected in the lungs at necropsy. Slight focal tubular basophilia accompanied with flattened tubular epithelial cells was observed in the kidneys
There were treatment related clinical signs in male and female animals at any dose level at the weekly detailed observations during the entire treatment period. Brownish fur around the right eye of one male rat (20 mg/kg /day) was noted at the weekly observation on Days 0, 7, 13, 20, 27 and 41. Alopecia in female animals was noted in one control animal and in a high dose (50 mg/kg/day) animal.

BODY WEIGHT AND FOOD CONSUMPTION (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
The mean body weight and body weight gain of treated males were comparable to control values. A statistically significant higher mean body weight gain was apparent at 7 mg/kg/day during the last week of treatment but was considered to be not toxicologically relevant.
In the females, the mean body weight gain was significantly less at all treatment levels (50, 20 and 7 mg/kg/day) with respect to control between gestation days 14 and 21. The reduced body weight gain resulted in a slightly reduced mean body weight at 50 mg/kg/day on gestation day 21, as well as a reduced mean total body weight gain at 50 and 20 mg/kg/day. The reduced mean body weight gain at 20 and 7 mg/kg/day was not considered to be toxicologically significant because it was of low magnitude and there was no significant difference with respect to controls in the mean body weight on gestation day 21. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean body weight and body weight gain of female animals between control and dosed groups during the pre-mating and lactation periods. However the body weight decreased to a higher degree and in more animals at 50 mg/kg/day than in control animals during the lactation period.

The mean daily food consumption of male animals was similar in the control and treated groups during the entire treatment period. A statistically significant less mean food consumption noted in animals treated at 50 mg/kg/day on the first week of treatment period was not considered to be biologically significant.
The mean daily food consumption was comparable in the control and treated female animals (50, 20 and 7 mg/kg/day) groups during the pre-mating period. The mean daily food consumption was slightly but statistically significantly less in female animals treated at 50 mg/kg/day during the last week of gestation and at 50 and 20 mg/kg/day between lactation days 0 and 4 with respect to control.

HAEMATOLOGY
There were no test item related changes in the examined haematological parameters in male and female animals at any dose level. Sporadic statistically significant differences were observed for some parameters with respect to controls: mean prothrombin time at 20 mg/kg/day (male), haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit at 50 and 20 mg/kg/day (female), white blood cell count at 7 mg/kg/day (female) group and percentage of monocytes at 50 mg/kg/day (female). These statistical significant differences were not considered toxicologically relevant. The haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit values were well within the historical control range. Slight changes in white blood cell count and prothrombin time occurred in the lower doses only and values were within the historical control range. The mean percentage of monocytes in female animals dosed at 50 mg/kg/day was slightly over the historical control range due to the high values of two animals.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
There were no treatment related significant differences in the examined clinical chemistry parameters with respect to controls at any dose level investigated. Those statistically significant differences that were observed between the control and treated groups were judged to be of little or no biological significance. Slight changes in glucose and chloride concentrations were found in male animals only at 7 mg/kg/day, but not in the higher dose treated groups. The differences in sodium levels in each dosed groups (50, 20 and 7 mg/kg/day) with respect to controls were small and independent from dose. In female animals treated at 50 or 20 mg/kg/day, albumin and total protein concentrations were slightly less than in the control but were within the normal (historical control) values and were not related to doses.

NEUROBEHAVIOUR
Functional observations did not demonstrate any treatment related changes. The behaviour, physical condition and reactions to different type of stimuli of animals selected for examination were considered to be normal in all groups. A recorded more pronounced startle reaction was considered to be an individual variation and without any toxicological significance because it was noted for one control (1/5) and for one 20 mg/kg/day treated female (1/5) animal.

REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: ESTROUS CYCLE (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
The ovaries had a normal structure characteristic of the species, age and phase of the active sexual cycle. The cortex contained primary, secondary and tertiary follicles and corpora lutea, indicating the active maturation of oocytes and ovulation, the epithelial capsule and ovarian stroma were normal in all cases, as well. The uterus, cervix and vagina had a normal structure in accordance with the phase of sexual cycle.

REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: SPERM MEASURES (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
The evaluated organs of reproductive system (testes, epididymides) were histologically normal and characteristic on the sexually mature organism in all investigated male animals of control and treated groups. The quantity and morphology of the various spermatogenic cells (the spermatogonia, the spermatocytes, the spermatids and spermatozoa) representing different phases in the development and differentiation of the spermatozoons and the interstitial cells were similar for all investigated animals. The histological observation of epididymides and pituitary was normal in all cases.

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
There were no significant differences between the control and treated male and female animals in the examined parameters of reproductive performance.
The percentage of fertile male animals was higher and the percentage of infertile male animals was slightly less with respect to controls in all test item treated groups (no statistical significance). The copulatory indices were 100 % in each group while fertility index of control group was slightly less than in the treated groups.
There were no treatment related differences between the control and treated groups in the female reproductive performance. The number of dams delivered, number of dams with live births, and fertility index were higher in the treated groups than in the control. Gestation indices, number of sperm positive females, pre-coital intervals, number of conceiving days were similar to the appropriate control values in all test item treated groups. One pregnant female animal treated at 50 mg/kg/day did not deliver due its moribund condition (see clinical signs/mortality.

ORGAN WEIGHTS (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
Slightly higher weights of kidneys (absolute and relative to body and brain weights) were noted and considered may be indicative of an influence of treatment in female animals at 50 mg/kg/day. Other statistically significant differences, relative to controls, were only noted at 7 mg/kg/day. A higher mean absolute liver weight and a reduced kidney weight relative to body weight were observed in male and female animals, respectively. These differences were small and were not considered toxicologically relevant.

GROSS PATHOLOGY (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
Gross pathology examination did not reveal treatment related macroscopic findings in the organs or tissues of animals subjected to necropsy.
Dead or moribund animals - Pale skin and mucous membranes were observed in the animal treated at 50 mg/kg/day and subjected to necropsy after euthanasia in moribund condition on gestation day 21 (Day 45). There were no macroscopic findings in the visceral organs and tissues. Uneven surface of kidneys, enlarged adrenal glands, small thymus, dark red liver and red colored fur around the eyes were noted for an underweight dead dam dosed at 50 mg/kg/day on lactation day 4 (Day 42).
Surviving animals - Pulmonary haemorrhages (1/12 at 7 mg/kg/day), pyelectasia (1/12 control, 1/12 at 7 mg/kg/day) and pale kidneys (1/12 at 7 mg/kg/day) were observed in male animals during the gross pathology examination. In females, one side pyelectasia (2/10 at 50 mg/kg/day), haemorrhages in cervical lymph nodes (1/10 at 7 mg/kg/day) and alopecia (1/9 control and 1/10 at 50 mg/kg/day) were observed. Alopecia was an individual change occurring in a single female of control (1/9) and high dose (1/10) groups. In non-pregnant female animals, one side hydronephrosis (1/3 control) and hydrometra (2/2 at 7 mg/kg/day) were observed. Hydrometra (indicative of the sexual cycle of female animals) and hydronephrosis are frequent observations in experimental rats and were only present in low dose treated and control animals, therefore were regarded as having no toxicological meaning. In the pericardium of one the non-pregnant females treated at 7 mg/kg/day, a sac-like formation was detected with thickened wall and with liquid and granulated material, this regarded as an individual alteration

HISTOPATHOLOGY (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
Dead or moribund animals - Histological examination revealed serious catarrhal-purulent pyelitis (both sides) and groups of bacteria in the kidneys in the one animal treated at 50 mg/kg/day and was regarded as the probable cause of death. This finding was considered to be an individual disease (probably ascending bacterial infection via the urinary tract.) In the second animal, also treated at 50 mg/kg/day, acute alveolar emphysema and haemorrhages were detected in the lungs. In the kidneys of this animal, mild focal tubular basophilia accompanied with flattened tubular epithel cells were observed.
Surviving animals - Focal or multifocal tubular basophilia accompanied with flattened tubular epithelial cells were found in the kidneys of male animals (5/12) and females (5/10) as well as slight inter-tubular lymphocytic infiltration (females 2/10) in the cortical region affecting the proximal convoluted tubules. The tubular basophilia accompanied with slight inter-tubular lymphocytic infiltration in the cortical region affecting the proximal convoluted tubules reflected a tubular damage and decreased functional activity of these tubules. The above mentioned lesions were not detectable in the kidneys of male and female animals treated at lower levels of 20 or 7 mg/kg/day and were considered to be treatment related. Focal alveolar emphysema (control male: 2/5, control female: 1/5; 50 mg/kg/day female: 1/5) and haemorrhage (control male: 1/5, 20 mg/kg/day male: 1/1) in the lungs were observed sporadically in minimal or mild degree and were considered to be a consequence of hypoxia, dyspnoea and circulatory disturbance developed during exsanguinations on termination.

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

50 mg/kg bw/day

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: Reproductive performance

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Mortality / viability:

no mortality observed

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Sexual maturation:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

not examined

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings:

not examined

VIABILITY (OFFSPRING)
There was no treatment related effect on pup mortality.
Statistical significances in the higher number and means (litter and male and female) of extra uterine mortality at 50 mg/kg/day group with respect to control were due to the full litter death of one dam with individual disease and therefore were not considered to be related to treatment.

CLINICAL SIGNS (OFFSPRING)
Test item related clinical signs did not appear in the offspring.
The number and percent of cold and not suckled pups were slightly higher in the control than in the 50 and 20 mg/kg/day treated groups. Cyanotic skin was observed in single offspring of dams treated at 20 and 7 mg/kg/day.

BODY WEIGHT (OFFSPRING)
There was influence of treatment on the mean litter weight and litter weight gain in any group.
The mean litter weight was reduced compared to the control at 50 mg/kg/day at the birth as well as at 50 and 20 mg/kg/day on post-partum Day 4. The mean litter weight gain was slightly reduced at both doses (50 and 20 mg/kg/day) between post-natal Days 0 and 4. However these differences were considered to be related to the slightly reduced number of offspring per litter since the mean pup weight was the same in the control and high dose groups at birth (post-natal day 0) and was similar on post-natal day 4 (10.7 g vs. 10.6 g). The mean pup weights (on post-natal days 0 and 4) and mean of pup’s weight gain (between post-natal days 0 and 4) exceeded the control value at 20 mg/kg/day. Therefore these differences between the control and treated groups were not attributed to the test item exposure.

GROSS PATHOLOGY (OFFSPRING)
No test item related macroscopic alterations were found in offspring subjected to gross pathological examination. There were no signs of test item effect, no skeletal or visceral malformations were observed in the offspring during the macroscopic examination.

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

50 mg/kg bw/day

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: pup weight; sex ratio; survival index; viability index

Reproductive effects observed:

not specified

Conclusions:

In a repeat-dose toxicity combined with a screening study of reproductive toxicity conducted in accordance with OECD test methods, the substance caused no changes in male and female reproductive performance and no effects on offspring development. Based on these observations the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level for reproductive performance of the male and female rats was regarded as 50 mg/kg body weight/day and the NO(A)EL for F1 Offspring was 50 mg/kg body weight/day

Executive summary:

In a repeat-dose toxicity combined with a screening study of reproductive toxicity conducted in accordance with OECD test methods, the substance caused no changes in male and female reproductive performance (gonad function, mating behaviour, conception, pregnancy, parturition) and dam’s delivery data. There were no test item related effects on offspring’s development. Based on these observations the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level for reproductive performance of the male and female rats was regarded as 50 mg/kg body weight/day and the NO(A)EL for F1 Offspring was 50 mg/kg body weight/day

Effect on fertility: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

50 mg/kg bw/day

Study duration:

subacute

Species:

rat

Quality of whole database:

Not applicable

Effect on fertility: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on fertility: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Additional information

In a repeat-dose toxicity combined with a screening study of reproductive toxicity conducted in accordance with OECD test methods, the substance caused no changes in male and female reproductive performance (gonad function, mating behaviour, conception, pregnancy, parturition) and dam’s delivery data. There were no test item related effects on offspring’s development. Based on these observations the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level for reproductive performance of the male and female rats was regarded as 50 mg/kg body weight/day and the NO(A)EL for F1 Offspring was 50 mg/kg body weight/day

Short description of key information:
Reproductive toxicity (fertility): NOAEL - 50 mg/kg/day

Justification for selection of Effect on fertility via oral route:
Single study available

Effects on developmental toxicity

Description of key information

Developmental toxicity: NOAEL - 50 mg/kg/day

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Endpoint:

developmental toxicity

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

From 2012-05-09 to 2012-06-25

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Study conducted in accordance with current test methods and in compliance with GLP regulations

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: OECD 422

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Limit test:

no

Species:

rat

Strain:

Wistar

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Toxi-Coop Zrt., Hungary
- Age at study initiation: 68 - 74 days (males and females)
- Weight at study initiation: 287 - 345 g (males); 159 - 196 g (females)
- Fasting period before study: No
- Housing: Before mating - 2 animals of the same sex/cage; During mating - 1 male and 1 female/cage; Pregnant females – individually; Males after mating - 2 animals/cage
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Ssniff SM R/M-Z+H complete rodent diet, ad libitum
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Municipal supply, ad libitum
- Acclimation period: 6 days

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 19 - 25 deg C
- Humidity (%): 30 - 70% RH
- Air changes (per hr): 8 - 12
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12 / 12

IN-LIFE DATES: From: 2012-05-09 To: 2012-06-25

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

vegetable oil

Remarks:

Sunflower oiul

Details on exposure:

PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:

VEHICLE
- Justification for use and choice of vehicle (if other than water): Substance unstable in aqueous media
- Concentration in vehicle: 1.4, 4.0 and 10.0 mg/mL
- Amount of vehicle (if gavage): 5 mL/kg body weight

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

Performed twice during the study. Concentration of the test item in the dosing formulations varied in the range of 95% to 105% relative to nominal values.

Details on mating procedure:

- M/F ratio per cage: 1:1
- Length of cohabitation: Until mating (within 6 days except for 1 pair which took 11 days for mating to be confirmed)
- Proof of pregnancy: vaginal plug / sperm in vaginal smear referred to as day 0 of pregnancy
- After successful mating each pregnant female was caged: Individually
- Any other deviations from standard protocol: No

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Males - 42 days; starting 2 weeks before mating
Females - 41 - 47 days, depending on date of mating; Those with living pups dosed for 14 days pre-mating, during mating period, through gestation and up to lactation days 3-10. Non-pregnant animals were treated up to and including the day before necropsy (for 42 days)

Frequency of treatment:

Daily, 7 days/week

Duration of test:

Males - 42 days; starting 2 weeks before mating
Females - 41 - 47 days, depending on date of mating; Those with living pups dosed for 14 days pre-mating, during mating period, through gestation and up to lactation days 3-10. Non-pregnant animals were treated up to and including the day before necropsy (for 42 days)

No. of animals per sex per dose:

12 males / 12 females

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: Based on outcome of 14-day preliminary study
- Rationale for animal assignment: Random

Maternal examinations:

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Daily, after treatment
- Cage side observations included: General clinical observations including behavioural changes.

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Weekly

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Males - weekly; Females - weekly with additional measurements on gestation days 10 and 17 and post-partum days 0 and 4

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE):
- Food consumption determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Males - weekly; Females - weekly with additional measurements on post-partum days 0 and 4

WATER CONSUMPTION: No

POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS: Yes
- Sacrifice on post-partum Day 4
- Organs examined: Examination of external appearance, appearance of the tissues and organs examined after opening of the cranial, thoracic and abdominal cavities. Abnormalities recorded with details of location, color, shape and size. Special attention was paid to the organs of the reproductive system. The number of implantation sites and of corpora lutea was recorded.
- Organ weights: All males - testes, epididymides, brain. 5 males/5 females/group - Adrenal glands, Brain, Heart, Kidneys, Liver, Spleen, Thymus
- Tissues fixed and preserved: (from all animals) - Uterus with cervix, vagina, testes, epididymides (total and cauda), prostate, seminal vesicles with coagulating glands, ovaries, pituitary and all organs showing macroscopic lesions. (from 5 males/5 females/group) – Abnormalities, Adrenal glands, Aorta, Bone marrow (from femur), Brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata), Caecum, Colon, Duodenum, Epididymides, Eyes, Mammary area, Heart, Ileum, Jejunum (including Peyer’s patches), Kidneys, Liver, Lungs (including mainstem bronchi), Lymph nodes - submandibular, Lymph nodes - mesenteric, Oesophagus, Ovaries, Pancreas, Pituitary gland, Prostate gland, Rectum, Salivary glands, Sciatic nerve, Seminal vesicles with coagulating gland, Skeletal muscle, Skin, Spinal cord (cervical, mid-thoracic, lumbar), Spleen, Sternum, Stomach, Testes, Thymus, Thyroid, Trachea, Urinary bladder, Uterus – cervix, Vagina

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes
Tissues examined - Ovaries, uterus, vagina, pituitary, testes and epididymides (with special emphasis on stages of spermatogenesis in the male gonads and histopathology of interstitial testicular cell structure) of the animals in the control and high dose groups and non-pregnant females and corresponding cohabited males. Examination of the ovaries covered the follicular, luteal, and interstitial compartments of the ovary, as well as the epithelial capsule and ovarian stroma. Full examinations undertaken on the preserved organs and tissues of the randomly selected animals in the control and high dose groups and in dead animals. Examination of kidneys was extended to 5 animals/sex from the low- and mid-dose groups.

Ovaries and uterine content:

The ovaries and uterine content was examined after termination: Yes / No / No data
Examinations included:
- Gravid uterus weight: No
- Number of corpora lutea: Yes
- Number of implantations: Yes
- Number of early resorptions: Yes
- Number of late resorptions: Yes

Fetal examinations:

SACRIFICE
- The F1 offspring were sacrificed at 4 days of age.
- These animals were subjected to postmortem examinations (macroscopic examination) as follows:
- External examinations: Yes: [all per litter]
- Soft tissue examinations: No
- Skeletal examinations: No
- Head examinations: No

Statistics:

Homogeneity of variance between groups was checked by Bartlett’s homogeneity of variance test.
Where no significant heterogeneity was detected a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out. If the obtained result was significant Duncan Multiple Range test was used to assess the significance of inter-group differences.
Where the result of the Bartlett’s test was significant the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was used and the inter-group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U-test.
Chi2 test was performed if feasible.
The frequency of clinical signs, pathology and histopathology findings were calculated.

Indices:

Gestation index, pre-implantation mortality, post-implantation mortality, intra-uterine mortality, post-natal mortality, sex ratio, survival index

Clinical signs:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Salivation post-dose

Mortality:

mortality observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence):

Mortaliy in 2 females dosed at 50 mg/kg/day

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Reduced body weight in females at 20 and 50 mg/kg/day duruing the last week of gestation

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Reduced mean daily food consumption was observed in female animals at 50 mg/kg/day during the gestation and lactation periods and at 20 mg/kg/day between lactation days 0 and 4.

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Kidney weight slightly increased in femaels treated at 50 mg/kg/day

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Effects in kidney at 50 mg/kg/day - focal or multifocal tubular basophilia with flattened tubular epithelial cells, slight inter-tubular lymphocytic infiltration in the cortical region, affecting the proximal convoluted tubules

Number of abortions:

no effects observed

Pre- and post-implantation loss:

no effects observed

Total litter losses by resorption:

no effects observed

Early or late resorptions:

no effects observed

Dead fetuses:

no effects observed

Changes in pregnancy duration:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Migrated Data from removed field(s)
Field "Effects on pregnancy duration" (Path: ENDPOINT_STUDY_RECORD.DevelopmentalToxicityTeratogenicity.ResultsAndDiscussion.ResultsMaternalAnimals.MaternalDevelopmentalToxicity.EffectsOnPregnancyDuration): no effects observed

Changes in number of pregnant:

no effects observed

Details on maternal toxic effects:

Maternal toxic effects:yes

Details on maternal toxic effects:
At 50 mg/kg/day - changes in body weight during gestation and food consumption during gestation and lactation. Changes in organ pathology (slightly higher kidney weights), segmental tubular basophilia accompanied with flattened tubular epithelial cells and occasionally with slight inter-tubular lymphocytic infiltration affecting the proximal convoluted tubules of the kidneys
At 20 mg/kg /day - slight, but toxicologically not relevant, changes in body weight during gestation and food consumption during lactation.
At 7 mg/kg/day - No treatment related adverse effect. Slight change in body weight gain during last week of gestation was not considered to be toxicologically significant.

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

20 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)

Based on:

test mat.

Basis for effect level:

body weight and weight gain

clinical signs

food consumption and compound intake

gross pathology

histopathology: non-neoplastic

mortality

organ weights and organ / body weight ratios

Abnormalities:

no effects observed

Fetal body weight changes:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Migrated Data from removed field(s)
Field "Fetal/pup body weight changes" (Path: ENDPOINT_STUDY_RECORD.DevelopmentalToxicityTeratogenicity.ResultsAndDiscussion.ResultsFetuses.FetalPupBodyWeightChanges): no effects observed

Reduction in number of live offspring:

no effects observed

Changes in sex ratio:

no effects observed

Changes in litter size and weights:

no effects observed

Changes in postnatal survival:

no effects observed

External malformations:

no effects observed

Skeletal malformations:

not specified

Visceral malformations:

not specified

Details on embryotoxic / teratogenic effects:

Embryotoxic / teratogenic effects:no effects

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

50 mg/kg bw/day

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No treatment related effects

Abnormalities:

no effects observed

Developmental effects observed:

not specified

Conclusions:

In a repeat-dose toxicity combined with a screening study of reproductive toxicity conducted in accordance with OECD test methods, the substance caused no changes in male and female reproductive performance (gonad function, mating behaviour, conception, pregnancy, parturition) and dam’s delivery data. There were no test item related effects on offspring’s development. Based on these observations the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level for reproductive performance of the male and female rats was regarded as 50 mg/kg body weight/day and the NO(A)EL for F1 Offspring was 50 mg/kg body weight/day

Executive summary:

In a repeat-dose toxicity combined with a screening study of reproductive toxicity conducted in accordance with OECD test methods, the substance caused no changes in male and female reproductive performance (gonad function, mating behaviour, conception, pregnancy, parturition) and dam’s delivery data. There were no test item related effects on offspring’s development. Based on these observations the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level for reproductive performance of the male and female rats was regarded as 50 mg/kg body weight/day and the NO(A)EL for F1 Offspring was 50 mg/kg body weight/day

Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

50 mg/kg bw/day

Study duration:

subacute

Species:

rat

Quality of whole database:

Not applicable

Effect on developmental toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on developmental toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Additional information

In a repeat-dose toxicity combined with a screening study of reproductive toxicity conducted in accordance with OECD test methods, the substance caused no changes in male and female reproductive performance (gonad function, mating behaviour, conception, pregnancy, parturition) and dam’s delivery data. There were no test item related effects on offspring’s development. Based on these observations the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level for reproductive performance of the male and female rats was regarded as 50 mg/kg body weight/day and the NO(A)EL for F1 Offspring was 50 mg/kg body weight/day

Justification for selection of Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route:
Single study available

Justification for classification or non-classification

An OECD screening study of reproductive toxicity revealed no functional changes in fertility or reproductive performance and no suggestion of developmental toxicity.

As a result, there is no evidence to warrant classification in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008.