Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME): inhalation fertility and teratogenicity studies in rats, mice and rabbits

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.84577· OSTI ID:5829970

Hanley, Jr, T R; Young, J T; John, J A; Rao, K S

A combined dominant lethal-fertility study was conducted in which male and female Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats were exposed to 0, 30, 100, or 300 ppm of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) vapor for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 13 weeks and then mated to untreated counterparts. Among males, fertility was completely suppressed after exposure to 300 ppm. A partial restoration of reproductive function was evident following 13 weeks of recovery. No treatment-related reproductive effects were observed among males exposed subchronically to 100 ppm, or among females exposed to 300 ppm or below of EGME. Studies to assess the effects of inhaled EGME on embryonal and fetal development were also conducted in Fischer 344 rats. CF-1 mice, and New Zealand White rabbits. Rats and rabbits were exposed to concentrations of 0, 3, 10, or 50 ppm for 6 hr/day on days 6-15 or 6-18 of gestation, respectively. Exposure of rabbits to 50 ppm resulted in significant teratologic effects, an increased resorption rate, and decreased fetal body weight. Slight fetotoxicity in the form of skeletal variations were observed among rats exposed to 50 ppm. Separate groups of pregnant rats and rabbits were exposed to 0, 500, 1500, or 3000 ppm of propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME) during organogenesis. Mild CNS depression was observed among rats and rabbits exposed to 3000 ppm of PGME. Fetal examination revealed no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects among either species. Thus, it was concluded that PGME was not teratogenic at exposure levels up to 3000 ppm.

• Research Organization: Dow Chemical USA, Midland, MI
• OSTI ID: 5829970
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 57; ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALCOHOLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
EMBRYOS
ETHERS
FERTILITY
FETUSES
GLYCOLS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INHALATION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
METHYL ETHER
MICE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PREGNANCY
RABBITS
RATS
RECOVERY
REPRODUCTION
RODENTS
SCREENING
TERATOGEN SCREENING
TERATOGENESIS
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES