Teratologic evaluation of 2-phenoxyethanol in New Zealand White rabbits following dermal exposure.
2-Phenoxyethanol was applied to the clipped skin of pregnant rabbits on Days 6 through 18 of gestation in order to assess the fetotoxic and teratogenic potential by the dermal route. Rabbits were treated with 0, 300, 600, or 1000 mg/kg/day of 2-phenoxyethanol, and fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. Dermal application of 1000 mg/kg/day produced maternal toxicity as evidenced by intravascular hemolysis of red blood cells and death in some animals. Maternal toxicity was observed in rabbits treated with 600 mg 2-phenoxyethanol/kg/day but at a lower incidence than that observed at 1000 mg/kg/day. Nine rabbits in the 1000 mg/kg/day dose group and five rabbits at 600 mg/kg/day died or were sacrificed in extremis. Rabbits in the two highest dose groups which survived until Day 28 of gestation showed no evidence of treatment-related effects. No signs of maternal toxicity were seen at 300 mg/kg/day. Examination of rabbit fetuses indicated that, at the dosages tested, 2-phenoxyethanol was not embryotoxic, fetotoxic, or teratogenic.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000473:pathology*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000633:toxicity*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D013723:Teratogens
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D013723:Teratogens; C005398:phenoxyethanol