Abstract |
Propylene dichloride was evaluated for reproductive toxicity in Sprague- Dawley rats (30 rats/sex/generation/concentration group) fed concentrations of 0, 0.024, 0.10, or 0.24% in water through 2 consecutive generations. The high-concentration level represented the maximum attainable concentration based on water solubility. F0 adults were exposed for a 10-week pre-mating treatment period, followed by a 21-day mating period. Following mating, females were treated through gestation, lactation, and weaning. Males continued to be treated post-mating until sacrifice. F1 rats, 21 days of age, were treated for 12 weeks prior to mating. Exposure of F1 animals during mating, gestation, and lactation was similar to that for the F0 animals. Concentration-related palatability effects were observed at all treatment levels in both generations, as indicated by decreases in water consumption and body weight gain during all phases of the study. No treatment related gross pathologic effects were observed. Males and females of both generations at all treatment levels had increased hepatocellular granularity. High- concentration animals of both generations had litters with reduced neonatal body weights and survival rates; the authors considered these effects to be secondary to the substantial decreases in maternal water consumption. The treatment did not adversely affect reproduction at any concentration level. The NOAEL for adults, and NOEL's for neonates and reproduction were 0.024, 0.10, and 0.24%, respectively. |