Dodecanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol

Toxicity to reproduction

Administrative data

Endpoint:

screening for reproductive / developmental toxicity

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

17 Feb - 07 April 2010

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2010

Report date:

2010

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Test guideline 1

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

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

Version / remarks:

adopted: 23 Mar 1996

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 2

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

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

Version / remarks:

adopted: 29 Jul 2016

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Glycerides, C8-18 and C18-unsatd. mono- and di-, acetates

EC Number:

293-170-2

EC Name:

Glycerides, C8-18 and C18-unsatd. mono- and di-, acetates

Cas Number:

91052-13-0

Molecular formula:

C15H26O6, C19H34O6, C21H38O6, C25H46O6

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): only trade name given
- Physical state: light yellow transparent oily liquid
- Batch: H113021
- Purity: 100%
- Storage conditions: at room temperature in the dark
- Stability under storage: stable
- Expiry date: November 2010
- Density: 0.944

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

other: Crl:WI(Han) (outbred, SPF-Quality)

Sex:

female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories France, L'Arbresle Cedex, France
- Age at study initiation: approximately 12 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: 277-353 g (males), 180-228 g (females)
- Housing : 5 animals/sex/cage in Macrolon cages (MIV type, height 18 cm). This was also applicable for Main females and Recovery animals throughout the complete treatment period. Sterilised sawdust as bedding material (Litalabo, S.P.P.S., Argenteuil, France) and paper as cage-enrichment (Enviro-dri, Wm. Lillico & Son (Wonham Mill Ltd), Surrey, United Kingdom) were supplied.
- Diet: pelleted rodent diet (SM R/M-Z from SSNIFF® Spezialdiäten GmbH, Soest, Germany), ad libitum
- Water: tap-water, ad libitum
- Acclimation period: at least 5 days

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 21 ± 3 (actual range: 19.7-21.9)
- Humidity (%): 40-70 (actual range: 22-71)
- Air changes (per hr): 15
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12

This species and strain of rat has been recognized as appropriate for general and reproduction toxicity studies. The testing laboratory has general and reproduction/developmental historical data in this species from the same strain and source. This animal model has been proven to be susceptible to the effects of reproductive toxicants.

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

polyethylene glycol

Details on exposure:

PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:
Formulations (w/w) were prepared daily within 6h prior to dosing and were homogenized to a visually acceptable level.
Adjustment was made for the density of the test substance (0.944), and the specific gravity of the vehicle (1.125).

VEHICLE
- Justification for use and choice of vehicle (if other than water): Based on trial formulations performed at the testing laboratory.
- Purity: polyethylene glycol 400, specific gravity 1.125 (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany)

Dose volume: 5 mL/kg bw

Details on mating procedure:

- M/F ratio per cage: 1/1
- Length of cohabitation: max. 14 days
- Proof of pregnancy: evidence of sperm in the vaginal lavage, by staging of the estrous cycle and/or by the appearance of an intravaginal copulatory plug referred to as Day 0 of pregnancy
- After successful mating each pregnant female was caged individually in Macrolon cages (MIII type).

Following a minimum of 14 days of exposure for the males and females, one Repro female was cohabitated with one Main male of the same treatment group, avoiding sibling mating (Charles River supplied non-litter mates). Detection of mating was not confirmed for animal no. 98 which did deliver. The mating date of this animal was estimated at 21 days prior to the actual delivery date. This day was designated Day 0 post-coitum. Once mating had occurred, the males and females were separated. A maximum of 14 days was allowed for mating. After 14 days of mating, females who had not shown evidence of mating were separated from their males.

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

Chemical analyses of formulations were conducted once during the study to assess accuracy, homogeneity and stability. Samples of formulations were analysed for homogeneity (highest and lowest concentration) and accuracy of preparation (all concentrations). Stability in vehicle over 6h at room temperature was also determined (highest and lowest concentration).
The accuracy of preparation was considered acceptable if the mean measured concentrations were 85-115% for suspensions. Homogeneity was demonstrated if the coefficient of variation was ≤10%. Formulations were considered stable if the relative difference before and after storage was maximally 10%.
The concentrations analysed in the formulations of Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were in agreement with target concentrations (i.e. mean accuracies between 85% and 115%). The formulations of Group 2 and Group 4 were homogeneous (i.e. coefficient of variation ≤10%) and formulations at the entire range were stable when stored at room temperature for at least 6h.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

41-49 days,
i.e. during 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during post-coitum, and during at least 4 days of lactation.

Frequency of treatment:

daily, 7 days/week

Details on study schedule:

Offspring were euthanized at the age of 4 days.

Doses / concentrations

Doses / concentrations 1

Dose / conc.:

100 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Doses / concentrations 2

Dose / conc.:

300 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Doses / concentrations 3

Dose / conc.:

1 000 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

No. of animals per sex per dose:

10

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: Based on the results of a 10-day dose range finding study

Examinations

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:

Male number paired with, mating date, confirmation of pregnancy, and delivery day were recorded.
Pregnant females were examined to detect signs of difficult or prolonged parturition, and cage debris of these females was examined to detect signs of abortion or premature birth. Any deficiencies in maternal care (such as inadequate construction or cleaning of the nest, pups left scattered and cold, physical abuse of pups or apparently inadequate lactation or feeding) were examined.

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes:

BODY WEIGHT: Yes

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND: Yes

for further details see Section 7.5.1

Oestrous cyclicity (parental animals):

Uterus epithelium was analysed histologically for estrus, proestrus and cystic endometrial glands.

Sperm parameters (parental animals):

Parameters examined in [all/P/F1/F2] male parental generations: testis weight, epididymis weight, histology of testes
Of the first 5 Main males of the control and high dose group, additional slides of the testes were prepared to examine staging of spermatogenesis.
The testes were processed, sectioned at 3-4 micrometers, and stained with PAS/haematoxylin.

Litter observations:

On Day 1 of lactation, all pups were randomized per litter and individually identified by means of subcutaneous injection of Indian ink.
Each litter was examined to determine the following, if practically possible:
Mortality / Viability: The numbers of live and dead pups on Day 1 of lactation and daily thereafter were determined. If possible, defects or cause of death were evaluated.
Clinical signs: At least once daily, detailed clinical observations were made in all animals.
Body weights: Live pups were weighed on Days 1 and 4 of lactation.
Sex: Sex was determined for all pups on Days 1 and 4 of lactation.

Postmortem examinations (parental animals):

SACRIFICE
- Maternal animals which delivered: on lactation Day 5
- Maternal animals which failed to deliver (4 animals): Post-coitum Day 26 (females with evidence of mating) or approximately 21 days after the last day of the mating period (females without evidence of mating).

GROSS NECROPSY
- Gross necropsy consisted of: see details under 7.5.1
The numbers of former implantation sites and corpora lutea were recorded for all paired females.

HISTOPATHOLOGY / ORGAN WEIGHTS
see details under 7.5.1

Postmortem examinations (offspring):

SACRIFICE
- Pups surviving to planned termination were killed by decapitation on lactation Day 5.

All pups were sexed and descriptions of all external abnormalities were recorded. The stomach was examined for the presence of milk. If possible, defects or cause of death were evaluated. Any abnormal pup, organ or tissue as well as pups from females that were killed in extremis were preserved in 10% buffered formalin for possible further examination.

Statistics:

See Section 7.5.1

Reproductive indices:

For each group the following calculations were performed:
- Mating (%): Number of females mated/Number of females paired x 100
- Fertility index (%): Number of pregnant females/Number of females paired x 100
- Conception index (%): Number of pregnant females/Number of females mated x 100
- Gestation index (%): Number of females bearing live pups/Number of pregnant females x 100
- Duration of gestation: Number of days between confirmation of mating and the beginning of parturition
- Percentage live males at First Litter Check: Number of live male pups at First Litter Check/ Number of live pups at First Litter Check x 100
- Percentage live females at First Litter Check: Number of live female pups at First Litter Check/Number of live pups at First Litter Check x 100
- Percentage of postnatal loss Days 0-4 of lactation: Number of dead pups on Day 4 of lactation/Number of live pups at First Litter Check x 100
- Viability index (%): Number of live pups on Day 4 of lactation/Number of pups born alive x 100

Offspring viability indices:

For each group the following calculations were performed:
- Percentage live males at First Litter Check: Number of live male pups at First Litter Check/ Number of live pups at First Litter Check x 100
- Percentage live females at First Litter Check: Number of live female pups at First Litter Check/Number of live pups at First Litter Check x 100
- Percentage of postnatal loss Days 0-4 of lactation: Number of dead pups on Day 4 of lactation/Number of live pups at First Litter Check x 100
- Viability index (%): Number of live pups on Day 4 of lactation/Number of pups born alive x 100

Results and discussion

Results: P0 (first parental generation)

General toxicity (P0)

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No clinical signs of toxicity were noted that were attributable to treatment.

Dermal irritation (if dermal study):

not examined

Mortality:

no mortality observed

Description (incidence):

No mortality occurred during the study period that was considered to be related to treatment with the test substance. Female no. 117 (1000 mg/kg bw/day) was killed in extremis on Day 17 post-coitum. Microscopic examination revealed a marked granuloma in the bronchus region containing macrophages surrounding food particles and with central areas of necrosis. These findings were indicative of a gavage accident.

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

No toxicologically relevant changes in body weights and body weight gain were noted up to 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
Any statistically significant changes in body weight gain observed among males and females during the treatment or recovery period were considered to be of no toxicological relevance since the changes occurred in the absence of a dose-related trend and/or were of a slight and/or temporary nature. These changes consisted of a higher body weight gain for males at 1000 mg/kg bw/day during the recovery phase, a lower body weight gain of Repro females at 1000 mg/kg bw/day on Day 11 of the post coitum period, and a higher body weight gain of Main females at 100 mg/kg bw/day over treatment Days 8-22.

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Food consumption before or after allowance for body weight was similar between treated and control animals.

Food efficiency:

not examined

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

not examined

Ophthalmological findings:

not examined

Haematological findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

No toxicologically relevant changes occurred in haematological parameters of treated rats.
The statistically significant lower prothrombin time in males at 1000 mg/kg bw/day and lower relative lymphocyte counts in females at 300 mg/kg bw/day at the end of treatment were considered to be of no toxicological relevance. These changes were absent at the end of the recovery period, occurred in the absence of a (clear) treatment-related trend and remained within the range considered normal for rats of this age and strain.

Clinical biochemistry findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

No toxicologically relevant changes occurred in clinical biochemistry parameters of treated rats.
Any statistically significant changes in clinical biochemistry parameters were considered to be of no toxicological relevance as these occurred in the absence of a (clear) treatment-related trend, remained within the range considered normal for rats of this age and strain and/or were present at the end of the recovery period only. At the end of treatment these changes consisted of lower alanine aminotransferase in males at 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day, and higher chloride levels in males at 100 mg/kg bw/day. Changes at 1000 mg/kg bw/day at the end of the recovery phase included lower albumin and higher glucose levels in females, and higher inorganic phosphate levels in males.

Urinalysis findings:

not examined

Behaviour (functional findings):

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex and grip strength were normal in all animals.
The variation in motor activity did not indicate a relation with treatment. Males at 300 mg/kg bw/day had significantly lower high sensor counts. Since the range of high sensor values encountered at 300 mg/kg bw/day was similar to that observed in the control group and no dose-related trend was noted, no toxicological relevance was ascribed to this variation. A notable variation in high sensor counts was recorded for females at 1000 mg/kg bw/day. Since the range of values at this dose was essentially similar to that observed in the control group, it was considered that no toxicologically significant effect on high sensor counts had occurred in females at 1000 mg/kg bw/day.

Immunological findings:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no treatment-related microscopic findings.
One control female (no. 89) had a marked cyst present in the cervix which correlated to the macroscopic finding in this animal and likely accounted for the infertility. One male rat at 100 mg/kg bw/day (no. 18) had an extensive bilateral seminiferous tubular atrophy in the testes with a subsequent extensive epididymal oligospermia, which accounted for its infertility. This was considered to be a spontaneous abnormality with no likely relationship to the test item. No other abnormalities were seen in the reproductive organs of the remaining suspected nonfertile animals which could account for their infertility. All microscopic findings recorded were considered to be within the normal range of background pathology encountered in Wistar-Han rats of this age and strain. The assessment of the integrity of the spermatogenetic cycle did not provide any evidence of impaired spermatogenesis.

Histopathological findings: neoplastic:

no effects observed

Other effects:

not specified

Reproductive function / performance (P0)

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Histological examination of the uterus epithelium and endometrial glands did not reveal any treatment related influences on estrous cycle.

Reproductive function: sperm measures:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

The assessment of the integrity of the spermatogenetic cycle did not provide any evidence of impaired spermatogenesis, as explored by histological examination of testes.

Reproductive performance:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No treatment related effects on reproductive parameters were noted.
The mating, fertility and conception indices, precoital time, gestation index and duration, parturition time, and number of corpora lutea and implantation sites were unaffected by treatment.

Effect levels (P0)

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Remarks:

parental fertility

Effect level:

1 000 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No adverse effects observed.

Results: F1 generation

General toxicity (F1)

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No clinical signs of toxicity were observed.

Dermal irritation (if dermal study):

not examined

Mortality / viability:

no mortality observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No mortality attributed to the test substance was observed.

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No toxicological relevant changes in body weight were observed.

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

not examined

Food efficiency:

not examined

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

not examined

Ophthalmological findings:

not examined

Haematological findings:

not examined

Clinical biochemistry findings:

not examined

Urinalysis findings:

not examined

Sexual maturation:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

not examined

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Macroscopic observations at necropsy did not reveal any toxicologically relevant alterations.

Histopathological findings:

not examined

Other effects:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Number of pups: 432
No toxicologically relevant effects on maternal care were observed.

Developmental neurotoxicity (F1)

Behaviour (functional findings):

not examined

Developmental immunotoxicity (F1)

Developmental immunotoxicity:

not examined

Effect levels (F1)

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Remarks:

development

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

1 000 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No adverse effects observed.

Target system / organ toxicity (F1)

Critical effects observed:

no

Overall reproductive toxicity

Reproductive effects observed:

no