Reproductive toxicity of 2-methoxyethanol applied dermally to occluded and nonoccluded sites in male rats.
12-Methoxyethanol (2-ME), also known as Methyl Cellosolve, was applied on the backs of Sprague-Dawley male rats at dose levels of 0, 625, 1250, or 2500 mg/kg/day on occluded (covered) sites, and 0, 1250, 2500, or 5000 mg/kg/day on nonoccluded (uncovered) sites for 7 consecutive days. Because deaths occurred at a dose level of 2500 mg/kg/day among rats with occluded test sites, dosing of this group was discontinued after 5 days. The number and morphology of caudal epididymal sperm, number of testicular spermatids, and weights of reproductive organs were determined on Weeks 4, 7, 10, and 15; fertility was assessed on Weeks--1, 4, 7, 10, and 14. The effects of treatment were dose-related and included a decline in epididymal sperm count and testicular spermatid count, a reduction in weights of testes and epididymides, an increase in the number of sperm with abnormal morphology, and a reduction in fertility in rats exposed to 2-ME. The above effects were seen with or without occlusion, but they were more severe and recovery proceeded at a slower rate when the skin sites were covered.
Mobil Environmental and Health Science Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08540.
M H
MH
Feuston
K R
KR
Bodnar
S L
SL
Kerstetter
C P
CP
Grink
M J
MJ
Belcak
E J
EJ
Singer
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects
D005026:Ethylene Glycols; C005219:methyl cellosolve