Abstract |
This report presents the data from a three generation reproduction/fertility study in Charles River CD(trademark) rats with C(sub 9) aromatic hydrocarbons. Desired concentrations of 100, 500 and 1,500 ppm were administered by whole body inhalation. The control group was exposed to filtered air. Thirty males and 30 females per group in the F(sub O) and F(sub 1) generations were exposed for 10 weeks prior to mating, while all F(sub 2) animals were exposed immediately following weaning, 10 to 12 weeks prior to mating. Thirty per sex of the surviving F(sub 2) animals were then selected for the breeding population. All parental animals and pups were observed for mortality and overt toxicity twice each day, seven day a week. Individual parental body weights and detailed clinical observations were recorded weekly, as was food consumption, except during the mating period. Maternal body weights and food consumption were recorded at specified intervals during gestation and lactation. Reproductive and litter parameters assessed included male and female fertility indices, the process of parturition, gestation length, litter size, numbers of viable and stillborn pups, and pup survival and growth during lactation. The average actual concentrations of the test article administered over the entire study to the low-, mid-, and high-dose groups were 103, 495 and 1,480 ppm, respectively. |