Methacrylamide

Toxicity to reproduction

Administrative data

Endpoint:

two-generation reproductive toxicity

Remarks:

RACB , Reproductive assessment by continuous breeding

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

06-01-1990 until 11-11-1992

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

test procedure in accordance with national standard methods

Data source

Reference

Reference 1

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

1992

Report date:

1992

Reference 2

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

The reproductive and neural toxicities of acrylamide and three analogues in swiss mice, evaluated using the continuous breeding protocol.

Author:

Chapin RE, Fail PA, George JD, Grizzle TB, Heindle JJ, Harry GJ, Collins BJ, Teague J

Year:

1995

Bibliographic source:

Fundamental and Apllied Toxicology Vol. 27: 9-24

Reference 3

Reference Type:

other: Abstract

Title:

Methacrylamide

Author:

Fail PA, George JD, Grizzle TB

Year:

1997

Bibliographic source:

Enviromental Health Perspectives Vol 105, Supplement 1: 261 - 262

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Continuous breeding study (RACB)

Version / remarks:

Specific study design pulished by Lamb, 1985, Reel et al., 1985

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: modified reproductive assessment continuous breeding protocol (RACB)
Task 1: Range-finding study (28 days treatment), doses of Methacrylamide ranging from 0 to 720 ppm in drinking water
At day 21 of treatment, the animals were housed in breeding pairs within dose group. Ability of the pairs to mate was evaluated by checking the females for vaginal copulatory plugs each day during cohabitation (seven days). At the end of forelimb and hindlimb grip strength was assessed to evaluate neuromuscular integrity.
Task 2: Continuous breeding phase F0-generation (1 wk + 14 weeks + Holding period)
Control group and three dose groups. Dose levels were set so that the highest dose was expected to cause decreased nerve function halfway
through the task. The middle dose was selected to produced little or no systemic toxicity, whereas the low dose was designed to be a no-effect level.
The animals were housed as breeding pairs for 98 days (continuous breeding phase), following seven days of premating exposure to Methacrylamide while singly housed. Endpoints for Task 2 were clinical signs, parental body weight, fertility (number producing a litter/number of breeding pairs), litters per pair, live pups per litter, proportion of pups born alive, sex of live pups, pup body weights within 24 hours of birth, feed and water consumption, and forelimb and hindlimb grip strength assessments. At the end of the 98 days, the pairs were separated and housed one animal per cage with continued dosing.

Any litters born (F1) after the continuous breeding phase were reared by the dam until weaning, and selected weanlings were reared in same-sex groups until 74 +/- 10 days of age. Lactating females were given dosed drinking water at the same dose of Methacrylamide as used during Task 2. Their F1 offspring were used for assessment of second-generation fertility in Task 4 (see below). Moreover a dominant lethal study was conducted on F0 males.
Task 3 was not conducted (therefore not described here), because Task 2 was negative. During the time from day 98 to day 189, time was sufficient to allow for rearing of Task 4 litters. Dosing with assigned concentrations of Methacrylamide continued throughout this period, was discontinued for seven days during week 22 and reinitiated for week 23 to 27. Females were necropsied at day 189. Vaginal cytology was evaluated for the control and high-dose females for 12 days prior to necropsy. At necropsy, females from all dose groups were sacrificed, and body and organ weights were taken.
Males from all dose groups were sacrificed on day 188, but ca. 60 minutes prior to scheduled sacrifice for individual randomly selected males, an endocrine challenge was administered. At sacrifice, cardiac blood was collected, body and organ weights were collected, and an epididymal sperm evaluation was conducted. Selected organs were examined microscopically.
Task 4 Offspring Assessment F1 generation (Control and 1 dosed group)
Assessment of F1 generation, was conducted using offspring from all four dose groups. Animals born after week 15 of Task 2 were weaned, housed two per cage by sex and treatment, and maintained on the same dose of Methacrylamide as their parents until they reached sexual maturity (74 +/- 10 days). 20 control animals of each sex and 20 treated animals of each sex in each treatment group were assigned to Task 4. Animals not selected for Task 4 were euthanized. Task 4 males and females within treatment groups were randomly assigned to breeding pairs, each representing two litters, and housed, one breeding pair per cage. Breeding pairs were cohabited for 7 days or until a vaginal copulatory plug was found, whichever was less, then separated and sigly housed. Dosed water was available ad libitum. After delivery of all of the litters and collection of vaginal smears from females, 12 days prior to being necropsied. Task 4 animals were euthanized and necropsied. Additions to Task 4 were grip strength evaluations and an endocrine challenge test. Data collected included body and selected organ weights, epididymal and testicular spermatozoa evaluations, and concentrations of peripheral serum. Selected organs were examined microscopically after processing.

GLP compliance:

yes

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Methacrylamide

EC Number:

201-202-3

EC Name:

Methacrylamide

Cas Number:

79-39-0

Molecular formula:

C4H7NO

IUPAC Name:

methacrylamide

Test material form:

solid

Details on test material:

Batch (Lot) Number: 11110320

Specific details on test material used for the study:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Methacrylamide (MARC) obtained from Pfaltz and Baur, Inc., Waterbury, CT
- Physical state: solid
- Analytical purity: as supplied by producer: >= 99 % relative to a frozen referenz standard
- Lot/batch No.: 5524-126-01
- Impurities (identity & concentrations): no data availible by the study report
- Stability under test conditions: no data
- Storage condition of test material: no data
-Chemical characterization and stability determined by RTI
-Reanalysis by MRI

Test animals

Species:

mouse

Strain:

CD-1

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories, Inc. (Raleigh, NC and Portage, MI)
- Age at study initiation: male: Task 1: 9 weeks, Task 2: 12 weeks
- Weight at study initiation:
- Assigned to test groups randomly: yes, under following basis: stratified randomization based on body weights
- Fasting period before study: no data
- Housing: subsequently housed as breeding pairs or individually
- Diet: pelleted rodent feed, ad libitum
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): ad libitum
- Acclimation period: 2 weeks


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): Task 1, 2 and 4: 22.22 ± 0.01 °C
- Humidity (%): Task 1: Range-finding: 55.2 ± 0.07% ,Task 2: F0-generation: 54.6 ± 0.07%; Task 4: F1-generation: 54.9 ± 0.04%
- Air changes (per hr): no data
- Photoperiod: 14 hours light/ 10 hours dark

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

oral: drinking water

Vehicle:

water

Details on exposure:

- Methacrylamide was weighed into 250 ml amber bottles and stored frozen for time of use
- Methacrylamide aliquots were added into 20 l polyethylene caboys with deionized/filtered water (vehicle)-Storage of the solutions
- Analysis were performed periodically to confirm the concentration of methacrylamide in the water

Details on mating procedure:

Task 2 started with a 7-day period of dosing animals housed separately, followed by a 98-day dosing period in which the mice were housed as mating pairs.

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Remarks:

- Analysis were performed periodically to confirm the concentration of methacrylamide in the water

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

Analytical methods: Thin layer and gas chromatography

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Exposure period: 189 days, 98 days continuous breeding
Premating exposure period (females): premating: 7 days
Duration of test: 27 weeks

Frequency of treatment:

continuously

Details on study schedule:

Number of generation studies: 1

Doses / concentrations

Doses / concentrations 1

Dose / conc.:

24 ppm

Remarks:

P1, corresponding to 4.5 mg/kg/d
F1, corresponding to 6.8 mg/kg/d

Doses / concentrations 2

Dose / conc.:

80 ppm

Remarks:

P1, corresponding to 15.4 mg/kg/d
F1, corresponding to 23.8 mg/kg/d

Doses / concentrations 3

Dose / conc.:

240 ppm

Remarks:

P1, corresponding to 49 mg/kg/d
F1, corresponding to 71.3 mg/kg/d

No. of animals per sex per dose:

Number of animals (controls): 76: 38 female and 38 male
Number of animals: 36 or 38 per group (18 or 19 males and 18 or 19 females)

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

In task 1 a range finding study was performed: methacrylamide was tested at levels of 0, 60, l 80, 360, 540, and 720 ppm. Clinical signs consisted of hindlimb splaying in five animals at the top dose. No paralysis was evident, and no other clinical signs were present. Water consumption was increased, but was not related to dose. Body weight gain was not affected by Methylamide exposure. There was no treatment-related change in the number of females carrying vaginal plugs or in the days to plug detection. Female grip strength was decreased slightly only at 710 ppm. Based on these data, concentrations for Task 2 were set at 24. 80, and 240 ppm methacrylamide.

Positive control:

no

Examinations

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
BODY WEIGHT: Yes
WATER CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if drinking water study): Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: daily

Oestrous cyclicity (parental animals):

yes

Sperm parameters (parental animals):

Parameters examined in P, F1 and Task 4 F1 male generations:

Litter observations:

yes

Statistics:

In Task 1, data were analysed using the Test for Linear Trend, ANOVA, and Tukey's test for pairwise comparison to controls. Most hypotheses in Task 2 and 4 were tested using the nonparametric multiple comparson procedures of Dunn (1964) or Shirley (1977), as modified by Williams (1986). Jonckheere's test (Jonckheere, 1954) was used to ascertain whether there was sufficient evidence of a dose-related response to apply Shirley's test. If the p-value from Jonckheere's test was less than 0.10, Shirley's test was used; otherwise Dunn's test was applied.
For data expressed as a proportion, such as fertile/number cohabited, the Cochran- Armitage test (Armitage, 1971) was used to test for dose-related trends, and pairwise comparisons were performed using Chi-squiare (Conover, 1971). Because the number of pups in a litter may influence the average pup weight in that litter, a parametric analysis of covariance (Neter and Wasserman, 1974) was used to test overall equality in average pup weight, after adjustment for average litter size. Pairwise comparison were performed using Dunnett's test.

Reproductive indices:

Number of animals (controls): 76: 38 female and 38 male
Number of animals: 36 or 38 per group (18 or 19 males and 18 or 19 females)

Results and discussion

Results: P0 (first parental generation)

General toxicity (P0)

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Mortality:

no mortality observed

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

During the task 2 cohabitation, there were no treatment related differences in body weight.

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Female food consumption before and after the cohabitation period was not affected by methacrylamide exposure. Male food consumption was increased at the highest concentration at week 23. At week 16, male food consumption was increased by 10, 12, and 32% compared to controls in the low-, middle-, and high-concentration groups, respectively.

Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Water consumption was not affected in either sex by methacrylamide exposure. Based on averaged consumption values (183-204 g water/kg/day), the daily dose estimates for the low-, middle-, and high-concentration groups are 4.5, 15.4, and 49 mg methacrylamide/kg body wt/day.

Ophthalmological findings:

not specified

Haematological findings:

not specified

Clinical biochemistry findings:

not specified

Urinalysis findings:

not specified

Behaviour (functional findings):

not specified

Immunological findings:

not specified

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Methacrylamide exposure was associated with a dose-related increase in male hindlimb grip strength. Some representative data for males and females are presented. Grip strength was tested at weeks 0, 6, 9, 12, and 15 of Task 2, and there was a significant trend to increased hindlimb strength at weeks 6, 12, and 15. Grip strength was not affected in females, and the percentage change in grip strength over the course of the study was not affected by methacrylamide exposure.

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: neoplastic:

not specified

Other effects:

no effects observed

Reproductive function / performance (P0)

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Methacrylamide exposure did not alter estrous cycle length or the time spent in each estrous stage (control length 5.3 ± 5 days).

Reproductive function: sperm measures:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

The frequency of abnormal forms was not affected. Epididymal sperm concentration (control value 967 ± 64 X 106/g cauda) was decreased only in the middle-dose group (values from low- to high-dose groups were 800 ± 63, 768 ± 49*,
and 827 ± 73 X 106/g cauda, respectively). Spermatid heads/gram of testis (control 10.l ± 0.5 X 107/g) were decreased significantly only the middle-dose group (low to high dose 8.9 ± 0.6, 8.1 ± 0.5 *, and 8.8 ± 0.6 X 107/g, respectively).
Additionally, only in the high-dose group was epididymal sperm motility lower than controls (60 ± 5% motile for controls, 35* ± 10% motile for the high-dose group).

Reproductive performance:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

All groups averaged 4.3-5.0 litters/pair during Task 2. MACR did not affect the cumulative days to litter in any group. Neither the number of live pups/litter nor the pup weight was affected by methacrylamide exposure

Details on results (P0)

Exposure of the dams to methacrylamide during lactation had no adverse effect on pup survival to postnatal Day 21 or on body weights before pnd 21.

Effect levels (P0)

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Remarks:

parenteral toxicity

Effect level:

49 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No substance related clinical or histopathological changes

Remarks on result:

other: corresponding to 240 ppm

Target system / organ toxicity (P0)

Critical effects observed:

no

Results: F1 generation

General toxicity (F1)

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Dermal irritation (if dermal study):

not specified

Mortality / viability:

no mortality observed

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

F1 male body weights at day 21 in the low-, middle-, and high-dose groups were 8, 5, and 7% lower than controls, respectively. Female body weights in these groups at Day 21 were 7, 6, and 7% less than controls.
At the Task 4 cohabitation at pnd 74 ± 10, the body weights of all groups of females were statistically equivalent, while the body weights of the dosed male groups were reduced by 5, 5, and 6% in the low-, middle-, and high-dose groups. respectively.

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Food and water consumption, measured the week after cohabitation, was not affected by exposure. Food and water values for control males were 210 ± 13 g food/kg/day and 232 ± 9 g water/kg/day. Food and water consumption
values for control females were 233 ± 12 g food/kg/day and 290 ± 10 g water/kg/day. Using consumption values for both sexes of treated mice, daily doses of methacrylamide can be estimated at ca. 6.8, 23.8, and 71.3 mg methacrylamide/kg/day.

Food efficiency:

not specified

Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Food and water consumption, measured the week after cohabitation, was not affected by exposure. Food and water values for control males were 210 ± 13 g food/kg/day and 232 ± 9 g water/kg/day. Food and water consumption
values for control females were 233 ± 12 g food/kg/day and 290 ± 10 g water/kg/day. Using consumption values for both sexes of treated mice, daily doses of methacrylamide can be estimated at ca. 6.8, 23.8, and 71.3 mg methacrylamide/kg/day.

Ophthalmological findings:

not specified

Haematological findings:

not specified

Clinical biochemistry findings:

not specified

Urinalysis findings:

not specified

Sexual maturation:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no changes in epididymal sperm concentration, percentage motility, frequency of abnormal forms, or testicular spermatid head counts (not shown). The length of the estrous cycle inthe 240-ppm group was not different from the controls (control length 4.7 ± 0.1 days).
The fertility and reproductive performance of Task 4 mice were not affected by exposure to 24, 80, or 240 ppm methacrylamide during growth. All groups bad equivalent numbers of live pups/litter, proportion of pups born alive, live pup weight,
adjusted live pup weight, and postpartum dam weight (not shown).

Anogenital distance (AGD):

not examined

Nipple retention in male pups:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no differences among the groups in absolute or relative weights of liver, kidneys/adrenals, ovary, prostate, right cauda epididymis, or right testis. There was a
trend to increased relative weight of serninal vesicles, which reached significance in the rniddle-concentration group (at 121 % of control value), but was not statistically different in the low- or high-concentration groups.

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Grossly visible lesions (inflamrnations, uterine hydrometra) were not related to exposure level of methacrylamide

Histopathological findings:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Histologie examination of selected tissues from Task 4 mice found no treatment-related effects. There were no visible changes in the nerves at the light-microscope level; there was one case of mild testicular degeneration in each of the
control and the low dose groups, and hydronephrosis in one male from each group, and two in the high-dose group.

Other effects:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

F1 mouse grip strength was significantly affected by methacrylamide only during Week 3 ofTask 4, in the weanling mice.
Male forelimb grip strength was 15, 26, and 29% lower than controls in the low-, middle-, and high-concentration groups, respectively, while male hindlimb grip strength was
19, 12, and 31 % lower than controls. In the females at Week 3, forelimb strength was not affected, but hindlimb strength was reduced by 28, 19, and 32%. These differences were gone by Week 5, and there were no subsequent treatment-related changes in grip strength in Task 4.

Details on results (F1)

In the F1 generation, there were significant reductions in body weight and grip strength in the treated animals at weaning. The changes in body weight were less than 10%.
The grip strength effects were > 10%, but bad disappeared by 5 weeks of life and were not apparent at the time of mating in Task 4. This raises the possibility of an effect on lactational support of the growing pups. Similar to the Fa
mice, there was no observable toxicity in any measured endpoint in Task 4.

Effect levels (F1)

1

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Remarks:

reproduction

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

69 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

female

Basis for effect level:

other: no effects observed

Remarks on result:

other: corresponding to 240 ppm

2

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Remarks:

reproduction

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

71.3 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male

Basis for effect level:

other: no effects observed

Remarks on result:

other: corresponding to 240 ppm

3

Dose descriptor:

LOEL

Remarks:

neurotoxicity

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

6.8 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

neuropathology

Remarks on result:

other: corresponding to 24 ppm; not considered as adverse effect as the effect was observed only at PNW3 when the pup body weight was decreased. At PNW5, the grip strength was normal in all dosage groups.

Target system / organ toxicity (F1)

Critical effects observed:

no

Overall reproductive toxicity

Reproductive effects observed:

no

Any other information on results incl. tables

Grip Strength of F0 Mice Exposed to Methacrylamide (Task 2)
ppm Methacrylamide
	0	24	80	240
Male
Forelimb
Week 9	109.2±6.3 (10)"	108.6±3.0 (10)	103.0 ::: 2.4 (10)	101.7±5.0 (10)
Week 15	98.8±4.8	101.9 :::: 4.8	98.9 ::: 5.9	103.2±5.5
Hindlimb
Week 9	139.7±5.5	148.6±4.5	136.4 ::: 4.9	147.7±3.7
Week 15	132.1:!:5.0	139.8±5.5	138.2::: 5.9	148.8±8.1*t
Female
Forelimb
Week 9	105.3:!:3.5 (9)	109.2 :::: 3.4 (10)	101.2 ::: 2.1 (10)	103.1±2.6 (10)
Week 15	96.8 :: 3.4	103.3:::5.4	89.8 ::: 2.5	101.2±4.1
Hindlimb
Week 9	141.1 ::: 4.8	152.0::: 5.6	144.5±5.8	145.8±3.0
Week 15	143.8 ::: 8.0	151.2±4.7	144.8:!:4.6	138.8±8.0
" Data arex±SEM(n).
*Significantly different from controls(p<0.05).
tDose-related trend(p<0.05).

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

F0 Swiss mice, exposed to Methacrylamide in drinking water at dose levels as high as 240 ppm for 27 weeks, had normal fertility with no evidence of dominant lethality or reproductive or neurotoxicity.
The observation of the temporarily slightly diminished grip strength in juvenile mice described by the study authors in the two-generation toxicity to reproduction in the third postnatal week on methacrylamide is not considered as adverse as the effects disappeared after 5 weeks and thus it is considered as irrelevant for the NOAEL.

Executive summary:

In a two-generation reproduction study (according to modified reproductive assessment continuous breeding protocol (RACB)) Methacrylamide (> 99%) was administered to Swiss CD-1 mice (male/female) in drinking water at dose levels of 0, 24, 80 and 240 ppm (corresponding to F0: 4.5, 15.4, 49 mg/kg bw/day; F1: 6.8, 23.8, 71.3 mg/kg bw/day for males and 8 - 69 mg/kg bw/day for females).

P0: No substance related clinical or histopathological changes. F1: Preweaning growth, survival, food and water consumption was not affected. No treatment related clinical signs, no effect on reproductive competence.

The observation of the temporarily slightly diminished grip strength in juvenile mice described by the RACB study authors is considered as not adverse and thus as irrelevant for the NOAEL determination,

see discussion in the executive summary on developmental toxicity.

No histopathological changes. Normal fertility. No dominant lethality.

The NOAEL (P0) is > 240 ppm (49 mg/kg bw/day)

The NOAEL (F1) is > 240 ppm (71.3 mg/kg bw/day in males, 69 mg/kg bw/day in females). 

For temporary neurotoxic effects in F1 pups presence of temporary reduced pub body weights on PND21, a LOEL of 24 ppm is defined

 

This study is acceptable and satisfies the requirement for a two-generation reproductive study (modified reproductive assessment continuous breeding protocol (RACB) in Swiss CD-1 mice.