[Effects of inhalation of ethylene oxide on female rats].
The effects of systemic toxicity including reproductive toxicity of ethylene oxide on female rats were studied. When Wistar female rats were exposed to 250 ppm of ethylene oxide for six hours a day, five days a week for ten weeks, they showed inhibition of body weight gain and paralysis of the hindlegs. Hematological examination revealed macrocytic and normochromic anemia with high reticulocyte counts. The estrus cycle of the exposed group was prolonged and the percentage of the diestrus stage increased. There was no atrophy in the ovary or the uterus. However, the activity of glutathione reductase in the ovary decreased by 18% and that of glutathione-S-transferase increased by 30%. These results indicate that ethylene oxide has a similar effect on both female and male rats and that the female reproductive system is also affected.
Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
K
K
Mori
M
M
Kaido
K
K
Fujishiro
N
N
Inoue
H
H
Hori
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D004031:Diestrus / Q000187:drug effects; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects; D005027:Ethylene Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005027:Ethylene Oxide