Quaternary ammonium compounds, tri-C8-10-alkylmethyl, chlorides

Repeated dose toxicity: oral

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term repeated dose toxicity: oral

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

Oct 2015 - Dec 2015

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Cross-reference

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Remarks:

OECD TG 422

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2018

Report date:

2018

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)

Version / remarks:

28 July 2015

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Quaternary ammonium compounds, tri-C8-10-alkylmethyl, chlorides

EC Number:

264-120-7

EC Name:

Quaternary ammonium compounds, tri-C8-10-alkylmethyl, chlorides

Cas Number:

63393-96-4

Molecular formula:

Unspecified

IUPAC Name:

Quaternary ammonium compounds, tri-C8-10-alkylmethyl, chlorides

Test material form:

liquid

Specific details on test material used for the study:

SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Lot/batch No. of test material: 30-043-11
- Purity test date: Apr 01, 2015
- Content: w(Mw =404.16 g/mol) = 82.8 g/100 g
w(Mw = 488.32 g/mol) = 100.0 g/100 g
- Expiry date: 02 Jan 2018

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: room temperature
- Stability under test conditions: The stability of test substance in rat diet was demonstrated for a period of 8 days at room temperature. At the beginning (during premating), twice during gestation and once during lactation of the study each 3 samples were taken from the lowest and highest concentration for potential homogeneity analyses. These samples were used as a concentration control at the same time. All measured values for the test substance were in the expected range of the target concentrations (90 - 110%), demonstrating the correctness of the preparations.

TREATMENT OF TEST MATERIAL PRIOR TO TESTING
- Treatment of test material prior to testing: The required quantity of test substance was weighed in a beaker depending on the test group and thoroughly mixed with a small amount of food. Then further amounts of food were added to this premix and thoroughly mixed. Afterwards, further amounts of food, depending on the dose group, were added to this premix in order to obtain the desired concentrations. Mixing of this final mix was carried out for about 3 minutes in a laboratory mixer.

FORM AS APPLIED IN THE TEST (if different from that of starting material): with diet

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

Wistar

Details on species / strain selection:

The test guideline requires the rat to be used as the animal species. This rat strain was selected since extensive historical control data are available for Wistar rats.

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories, Research Models and Services, Sulzfeld, Germany
- Females (if applicable) nulliparous and non-pregnant: yes
- Animals were free from any clinical signs of disease
- Age at study initiation: 13 - 15 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: males: 334.0 g - 374.2 g; females: 194.3 g - 223.5 g
- Housing: individually during study period (during overnight matings male and female mating partners were housed together; pregnant animals and their litters were housed together until PND 13); grouped (up to 5 animals per sex and cage) during pretreatment
- Diet: ad libitum (from the day of supply to the day before necropsy); ground Kliba maintenance diet mouse-rat “GLP” (supplied by Provimi Kliba SA, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland)
- Water: ad libitum
- Acclimation period: 20 days

DETAILS OF FOOD AND WATER QUALITY: The food used in the study was assayed for chemical and for microbiological contaminants. The drinking water was regularly assayed for chemical contaminants as well as for the presence of (pathogenic) microorganisms. On the basis of the analytical findings the drinking water was found to be suitable. With regard to the analytical findings of chemical and microbiological contaminants and the duration of application, the diet was found to be suitable.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 20-24
- Humidity (%): 30-70
- Air changes (per hr): 15
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12 / 12
IN-LIFE DATES: From: 06 Oct 2015 To: 02 Dec 2015 (males); 21 and 31 Dec 2015 (females)

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

oral: feed

Details on route of administration:

The oral route was selected since this was proven to be suitable for the detection of a toxicological hazard.

Vehicle:

unchanged (no vehicle)

Details on oral exposure:

PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS: The required quantity of test substance was weighed in a beaker depending on the test group and thoroughly mixed with a small amount of food. Then further amounts of food were added to this premix and thoroughly mixed. Afterwards, further amounts of food, depending on the dose group, were added to this premix in order to obtain the desired concentrations. Mixing of this final mix was carried out for about 3 minutes in a laboratory mixer.

DIET PREPARATION
- Rate of preparation of diet (frequency): not specified; The stability of test substance in rat diet was demonstrated for a period of 8 days at room temperature.
- Mixing appropriate amounts with (Type of food): ground Kliba maintenance diet mouse-rat “GLP” (supplied by Provimi Kliba SA, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland)
- Storage temperature of food: not specified; The stability of test substance in rat diet was demonstrated for a period of 8 days at room temperature.

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

At the beginning (during pre-mating), twice during gestation and once during lactation of the study each 3 samples were taken from the lowest and highest concentration for potential homogeneity analyses. These samples were used as a concentration control at the same time. At these time points, one sample from the mid concentration was additionally taken for concentration control analysis. The samples were analyzed via HPLC-MS system with external standard quantification. The analytical investigations of the test substance preparations were carried out in compliance with the Principles of Good Laboratory Practice.

All determined mean concentrations were in the range from 90 % - 110 % of the nominal concentration.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

males: 37 days; females: 66 days
The duration of treatment covered a 2-weeks premating period and mating in both sexes (mating pairs were from the same test group), 8 days postmating in males and approximately 4 weeks postmating in one female (pregnant by stain) as well as the entire gestation and approximately 3 weeks of lactation period in females up to one day prior to the day of scheduled sacrifice of the animals.

Frequency of treatment:

continuously (via diet)

Doses / concentrations

Doses / concentrations 1

Dose / conc.:

1 000 ppm

Remarks:

high-dose level;
for females during lactation: 500 ppm;
= mean intake of approx. 54 mg/kg bw/d (males), approx. 78 mg/kg bw/d (females)

Doses / concentrations 2

Dose / conc.:

300 ppm

Remarks:

mid-dose level;
for females during lactation: 150 ppm;
= mean intake of approx. 17 mg/kg bw/d (males), approx. 23 mg/kg bw/d (females)

Doses / concentrations 3

Dose / conc.:

100 ppm

Remarks:

low-dose group;
for females during lactation: 50 ppm;
= mean intake of approx. 6 mg/kg bw/d (males), approx. 8 mg/kg bw/d (females)

No. of animals per sex per dose:

10

Control animals:

yes, plain diet

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: In a dose finding study male and female rats were treated with the test substance (600 ppm and 1800 ppm) via the diet for a period of 14 days. No effects were observed at 600 ppm. At 1800 ppm treatment-related findings like discolored feces, decreased body weight and decreased food and water consumption occured. In two further studies the test substance was administered via gavage at doses of 10, 50 and 250 mg/kg bw/d. Marked effects in respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, which are typical for irritating substances, up to mortality were observed from a dose of 50 mg/kg bw/d . Thus, an application of the test substance via the diet was chosen for this study.

Positive control:

no

Examinations

Observations and examinations performed and frequency:

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes (for mortality, for any signs of morbidity, pertinent behavioral changes and signs of overt toxicity, parturition and lactation behavior of the dams)
- Time schedule: at least once daily

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: once prior to the first administration (day 0) and at weekly intervals during the administration period
- Examined parameters: abnormal behavior in handling, fur, skin, posture, salivation, respiration, activity/arousal level, tremors, convulsions, abnormal movements, gait abnormalities, lacrimation, palpebral closure, exophthalmos, assessment of the feces discharged during the examination (appearance/ consistency), assessment of the urine discharged during the examination, pupil size

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: once a week at the same time of the day (in the morning) until sacrifice with the following exceptions for the females:
• During the mating period, the females were weighed on the day of positive evidence of sperm (GD 0) and on GD 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 and 20.
• Females with litter were weighed on the day of parturition (PND 1), PNDs 4, 7, 10 and 13.
• Body weight was not determined in females without positive evidence of sperm during the mating and the gestation period and in females without litter during the lactation period.

FOOD CONSUMPTION:
- Food consumption for each animal determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: once a week with the following exceptions:
• Food consumption was not determined after the 2nd premating week (male parental animals) and during the mating period (male and female parental animals).
• Food consumption of the females with evidence of sperm was determined on gestation days (GD) 0 - 3, 3 - 7, 7 - 10, 10 - 14, 14 - 17 and 17 - 20.
• Food consumption of the females which gave birth to a litter was determined on PND 1 - 4, 4 - 7, 7 - 10 and 10 - 13.
- Food consumption was not determined in females without positive evidence of sperm during the mating and the gestation period and in females without litter during the lactation period.

HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: at termination (males); at PND 14 (females)
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes (about 16 to 20 hours)
- How many animals: the first 5 surviving parental males and the first 5 females with litters (in order of delivery) per group
- Parameters checked in table 1 were examined.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: at termination (males); at PND 14 (females)
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes (about 16 to 20 hours)
- How many animals: the first 5 surviving parental males and the first 5 females with litters (in order of delivery) per group
- Parameters checked in table 2 were examined.

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: Yes; functional observation battery and motor activity assessment (see "OTHER")

OTHER:
Functional observation battery (FOB):
- A functional observational battery was performed in the first five parental male animals per test group and the first five females with litter per group (in order of delivery) at the end of the administration period starting at about 10.00 h on study day 31 (males) and 45 (females).
- The FOB started in a randomized sequence with passive observations without disturbing the animals, followed by removal from the home cage, open field observations in a standard arena and sensorimotor tests as well as reflex tests.
- Examined parameters:
• Home cage observations: posture, tremors, convulsions, abnormal movements, gait, other findings
• Open field observations: behavior on removal from the cage, fur, skin, salivation, nasal discharge, lacrimation, eyes/ pupil size, posture, palpebral closure, respiration, tremors, convulsions, abnormal movements/ stereotypes, gait, activity/ arousal level, feces excreted within 2 minutes (consistency/color), urine excreted within 2 minutes (amount/color), rearing within 2 minutes, other findings
• Sensory motor tests/reflexes: reaction to an object being moved towards the face (approach response), touch sensitivity (touch response), vision (visual placing response), pupillary reflex, pinna reflex, audition (startle response), coordination of movements (righting response), behavior during handling, vocalization, pain perception (tail pinch), grip strength of forelimbs, grip strength of hindlimbs, landing foot-splay test

Motor activity assessment:
- measured from 14:00 h onwards on the same day as the FOB was performed (at the end of the administration period) in the first five surviving parental males and the first five surviving females with litter (in order of delivery) per group
- The animals were placed in new clean polycarbonate cages with a small amount of bedding for the duration of the measurement. Eighteen beams were allocated per cage. The number of beam interrupts were counted over 12 intervals for 5 minutes per interval.

Estrous cycle:
- In all parental females, estrous cycle length and normality was evaluated by daily analysis of vaginal smear during a minimum of 2 weeks prior to mating and throughout the pairing period until the female exhibited evidence of copulation. Additionally, on the day of scheduled sacrifice, the estrous status was also determined in all female F0 rats.
- For all females in a pool of up to 50 animals, estrous cycle normality was evaluated before the randomization.

Male reproduction data:
- The pairing partners, the number of mating days until vaginal sperm was detected in the female animals, and the gestational status of the females were recorded for F0 breeding pairs.

Female reproduction and delivery data
- The pairing partners, the number of mating days until vaginal sperm were detected and gestational status were recorded for F0 females.

Thyroid hormones (males only)
- Time schedule for collection of blood: at termination
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes (about 16 to 20 hours)
- How many animals: all surviving males at termination
- Parameters checked in table 3 were examined.

Sacrifice and pathology:

- All parental animals were sacrificed by decapitation under isoflurane anesthesia. The exsanguinated animals were necropsied and assessed by gross pathology, special attention being given to the reproductive organs.

GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes (see table 4, Organ weights)

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes (see table 4)
- Special attention was given on the stages of spermatogenesis in the testes.

Statistics:

see table 5

Results and discussion

Results of examinations

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Mortality:

no mortality observed

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

high dose group (1000 ppm)
- Decreased body weights in the males during the entire mating and postmating period as well as decreased terminal body weight at necropsy (up to 6% below control)
- Decreased body weight change in the males during premating (up to 38% below control)

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

- food consumption of the high-dose parental males statistically significantly below the control during the entire premating period (up to 11%)
- food consumption of the high-dose parental females statistically significantly below the control during the premating days 0 - 7 (about 10%)

Food efficiency:

not examined

Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):

not examined

Ophthalmological findings:

no effects observed

Haematological findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

- Relative reticulocyte counts in males of test group 3 (1000 ppm) lower compared to controls. No other red blood cell parameter was changed in these individuals. Therefore, regarded as not adverse.
- Absolute eosinophil counts in males of test group 2 (300 ppm) higher compared to controls, but the values were not dose-dependently changed.
- Absolute eosinophil counts in females of test groups 1, 2 and 3 (100, 300 and 1000 ppm) lower compared to controls. However, the means in the test groups were within the historical control range, whereas that one of the controls was slightly above this range (absolute eosinophil counts 0.07-0.18 Giga/L).
- Red blood cell (RBC) counts in females of test group 3 (1000 ppm) increased, but the values were within the historical control range (RBC 7.71-8.65 Tera/L).

Clinical biochemistry findings:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

- In females of test group 3 (1000 ppm) increased sodium values. Among the electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, chloride) sodium was the only altered parameter and therefore its change was regarded as treatment-related, but not adverse.

Urinalysis findings:

not examined

Behaviour (functional findings):

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

- insufficient maternal care during PND 1 - 2 and a complete litter loss on PND 3 of one high-dose female

Immunological findings:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

- decrease in spleen weight of males of test groups 2 and 3 (300 and 1000 ppm) which was not thought to be treatment-related due to the fact that the relative organ weight was not significantly changed and no histopathologic finding was observed that could explain the weight decrease.

Gross pathological findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

All findings (see Attachment) occurred either individually or were biologically equally distributed over control and treatment groups. They were considered to be incidental or spontaneous in origin and without any relation to treatment.

Neuropathological findings:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

All findings (see Attachment) occurred either individually or were biologically equally distributed over control and treatment groups. They were considered to be incidental or spontaneous in origin and without any relation to treatment. The stages of spermatogenesis in the testes of males of test group 3 (1000 ppm) were comparable to those of the controls.

Histopathological findings: neoplastic:

no effects observed

Effect levels

1

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

ca. 17 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

= 300 ppm

Sex:

male

Basis for effect level:

body weight and weight gain

food consumption and compound intake

2

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

ca. 23 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Remarks:

= 300 ppm

Sex:

female

Basis for effect level:

body weight and weight gain

food consumption and compound intake

Target system / organ toxicity

Critical effects observed:

no

Any other information on results incl. tables

The various analyses:

• Demonstrated the stability of the test substance preparations over a period of 8 days at room temperature

• Confirmed the homogeneous distribution of the test substance in the diet

• Verified overall correct concentrations of the test substance preparations.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Under the conditions of the present OECD 422 combined repeated dose toxicity study with the reproductive/developmental screening test in Wistar rats the test substance caused signs of systemic toxicity (decreased food consumption and decreased body weight parameters in male and female parental animals) at a concentration of 1000 ppm in the diet. Thus, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for general systemic toxicity was 300 ppm for male (about 17 mg/kg bw/d) and female Wistar rats (about 23 mg/kg bw/d).

Executive summary:

In an OECD 422 study, the test compound was administered daily as a constant homogeneous addition to the food in different concentrations to groups of 10 male and 10 female Wistar rats to screen for potential systemic, reproductive and developmental toxicity. After a two-week premating period, these parental animals were mated and the females were allowed to give birth and bring up the offspring until sacrifice on PND 4 or PND 13.

Analyses confirmed the overall accuracy of the prepared concentrations and the homogeneity of the test substance in the diet. The stability of these preparations was also demonstrated over a period of 8 days under ambient conditions.

In the clinical examinations of the parental animals F0 no clinical symptoms were caused by the test compound up to the high concentration of 1000 ppm. In the subsequent investigations including the detailed clinical observation (DCO), the functional observational battery (FOB) and the measurement of motor activity (MA) no treatment related differences to control were observed at any concentration.

Food consumption of the high-dose F0 males was statistically significantly below the concurrent control values during the entire premating period (up to 11%) and in the high-dose females during premating days 0 - 7 (about 10%).

The mean body weights of the high-dose parental males were statistically significantly below the concurrent control values during the mating and postmating period as well as the terminal body weights. (up to 6%).

Additionally the mean body weight change of the high-dose parental males was statistically significantly below the concurrent control values during premating (up to 38%).

In summary the affected food consumption and body weight parameters of the rats of the high dose group point to systemic toxicity. This trend is only borderline; however, the total of minor changes is considered as an adverse effect of treatment. Concerning clinical pathology no treatment-related, adverse effects were observed up to a concentration of the compound of 1000 ppm in the diet. Regarding pathology all findings occurred either individually or were biologically equally distributed over control and treatment groups. They were considered to be incidental or spontaneous in origin and without any relation to treatment. Regarding fertility and reproductive performance, no signs of toxicity were observed in male or female parental animals of all test groups (100, 300, and 1000 ppm) during the entire study. All F0 parental animals proved to be fertile. Mating behavior, conception, implantation and parturition were not influenced.

Regarding developmental toxicity, the mean body weights of the high-dose (1000 ppm) male and female pups were statistically significantly below the concurrent control values on PND 1. Additionally, lower weights were noted in male pups and both sexes combined on PND 7 (about 15%) as well as in male pups on PND 10 (about 13%). The mean body weight change of the high-dose (1000 ppm) female pups and both sexes combined was statistically significantly below the concurrent control values during PND 4 - 7 (about 15%).

In summary, the decreased pup body weight parameters in the high-dose group are considered as an adverse effect of treatment. One high-dose female (1000 ppm) delivered very small pups (all pups are runts at PND 1) and had a complete litter loss on PND 3 due to an insufficient maternal care. Between PND1 and PND3 ten pups of this high-dose female where cannibalized and two pups died. At necropsy the two died pups had an empty stomach.

In test group 3 (1000 ppm) the number of runts was increased (18 vers. 3 runts in the control group), the viability index indicating pup mortality during lactation (PND 0 - 4) was decreased (89.1% vers. 99.2% in control) and the number of cannibalized/dead pups was increased during PND 1 - 4. Although a complete litter loss as finding (with a low incidence) was present in the historical control data of the facility, a treatment related cause of these changes cannot be excluded.

The percentage (97.2% vers. 63.3% in control) of male pups having areolae on PND 13 was statistically significantly increased in test group 3 (1000 ppm). This finding was assessed as an adverse treatment related change.

All other findings occurred either individually or were biologically equally distributed over control and treatment groups. They were considered to be incidental or spontaneous in origin and without any relation to treatment.