Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (111-77-3) was evaluated for developmental effects in groups of 25 female New Zealand white rabbits by occluded dermal application of the substance to the shaved skin at dose levels of 0, 50, 250, or 750 mg/kg/day on days 6 through 18 of gestation. Animals were sacrificed on day 29 of gestation. One animal at 750 mg/kg/day and one at 50 mg/kg/day died during treatment but the deaths were not attributed to exposure (hairballs were found in the stomach of each). An additional female at 750 mg/kg/day died of an undetermined cause. Rabbits at 750 mg/kg/day gained significantly less weight than control animals on days 9-11 of gestation and showed a depressed red cell count and packed cell volume. Fetal alterations including mild forelimb flexure, dilation of the renal pelvis, retrocaval ureter, cervical spurs, and delayed ossification were seen at 750 mg/kg/day. The incidence of embryonic absorption was slightly increased at 750 mg/kg/day but did not differ significantly from control values. At 250 mg/kg/day, the incidence of delayed ossification of the hyoid bone and the occurrence of cervical spurs were increased when compared controls.