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Toxicological information

Developmental toxicity / teratogenicity

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
developmental toxicity
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
09 July 2012 and 20 February 2013
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
other: Study conducted in compliance with agreed protocols, with no or minor deviations from standard test guidelines and/or minor methodological deficincies, which do not affect the quality of relevant results.

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
study report
Title:
Unnamed
Year:
2012
Report date:
2013

Materials and methods

Test guideline
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
Please see "Principles of method" for details.
Principles of method if other than guideline:
On a number of occasions during the acclimatisation and treatment phases of the study, the humidity was outside of the ranges specified in the study plan. Values were never more than 10% outside of the values stated.
This deviation to the study plan was considered not to affect the purpose or integrity of the study.
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Limit test:
no

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Strontium titanium trioxide
EC Number:
235-044-1
EC Name:
Strontium titanium trioxide
Cas Number:
12060-59-2
Molecular formula:
O3Ti.Sr
IUPAC Name:
strontium(2+) oxotitaniumbis(olate)
Test material form:
other: solid
Details on test material:
- Name of test material (as cited in study report): Strontium Titanium Trioxide
- Physical state: pale grey solid
- Analytical purity: equal to or greater than 99 %
- Lot/batch No.: 24924
- Expiration date of the lot/batch: 30 March 2013
- Storage condition of test material: room temperature in the dark

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Wistar
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
A sufficient number of male and female Wistar Han™:RccHan™:WIST strain rats were obtained from Harlan Laboratories U.K. Ltd., Blackthorn, Bicester, Oxon, UK. On receipt the animals were examined for signs of ill-health or injury. The animals were acclimatised for seven days during which time their health status was assessed. A total of eighty animals (forty males and forty females) were accepted into the study. At the start of treatment the males weighed 303 to 344g, the females weighed 189 to 221g, and were approximately twelve weeks old.
Initially, all animals were housed in groups of five in solid floor polypropylene cages with stainless steel mesh lids and softwood flake bedding (Datesand Ltd., Cheshire, UK). During the pairing phase, animals were transferred to polypropylene grid floor cages suspended over trays lined with absorbent paper on a one male: one female basis within each dose group. Following evidence of successful mating, the males were returned to their original cages. Mated females were housed individually during gestation and lactation, in solid floor polypropylene cages with stainless steel mesh lids and softwood flakes.
The animals were allowed free access to food and water. A pelleted diet (Rodent 2018C Teklad Global Certified Diet, Harlan Laboratories U.K. Ltd., Oxon, UK) was used. Mains drinking water was supplied from polycarbonate bottles attached to the cage. The diet and drinking water were considered not to contain any contaminant at a level that might have affected the purpose or integrity of the study. Environmental enrichment was provided in the form of wooden chew blocks and cardboard fun tunnels (Datesand Ltd., Cheshire, UK) except for paired animals and mated females during gestation and lactation.
The animals were housed in a single air-conditioned room within the Harlan Laboratories Ltd., Shardlow, UK, Barrier Maintained Rodent Facility. The rate of air exchange was at least fifteen air changes per hour and the low intensity fluorescent lighting was controlled to give twelve hours continuous light and twelve hours darkness. Environmental conditions were continuously monitored by a computerised system. The temperatures and relative humidity controls were set to achieve target values of 21 ± 2°C and 55 ± 15% respectively. Short term deviations from these targets were considered not to affect the purpose or integrity of the study.
The animals were allocated to dose groups using a randomisation procedure based on stratified body weights and the group mean body weights were then determined to ensure similarity between the dose groups. The animals were uniquely identified within the study, by an ear punching system routinely used in these laboratories.

IN-LIFE DATES: The in-life phase of the study was conducted between 11 July 2012 (first day of treatment) and 02 September 2012 (final necropsy).

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
arachis oil
Details on exposure:
For the purpose of this study the test item was prepared at the appropriate concentrations as a solution in Arachis oil BP. The homogeneity of the test item formulations was determined by Harlan Laboratories Ltd., Shardlow, UK, Analytical Services. Due to the complex nature of the test item, stability was not determined.
Formulations were prepared weekly and stored at approximately +4ºC in the dark.
Animals were allocated to treatment groups as seen in the table "Treatment Groups" in "any other information on materials and methods" below. The volume of test and control item administered to each animal was based on the most recent scheduled body weight and was adjusted at regular intervals.
Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
yes
Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
The homogeneity of the test item formulations was determined by Harlan Laboratories Ltd., Shardlow, UK, Analytical Services. Due to the complex nature of the test item, stability was not determined. Formulations were prepared weekly and stored at approximately +4ºC in the dark.
Samples of each test item formulation were taken and analysed for concentration of Strontium Titanium Trioxide at Harlan Laboratories Ltd., Shardlow, UK, Analytical Services. (Please see Appensix 24 for details of Chemical Analysis.) The results indicate that the prepared formulations were within ± 10% of the nominal concentration.
Details on mating procedure:
Animals were paired on a 1 male: 1 female basis within each dose group, for a period of up to fourteen days. Cage tray-liners were checked each morning for the presence of ejected copulation plugs and each female was examined for the presence of a copulation plug in the vagina. A vaginal smear was prepared for each female and the stage of oestrus or the presence of sperm was recorded. The presence of sperm within the vaginal smear and/or vaginal plug in situ was taken as positive evidence of mating (Day 0 of gestation) and the males were subsequently returned to their original holding cages (unless required for additional pairing). Mated females were housed individually during gestation and lactation, in solid floor polypropylene cages with stainless steel mesh lids and softwood flakes.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
The test item was administered by gavage to three groups, each of ten male and ten female Wistar Han™:RccHan™:WIST strain rats, for up to eight weeks (including a two week pre-pairing phase, pairing, gestation and early lactation for females).
Frequency of treatment:
Daily administration.
Duration of test:
Surviving offspring terminated at Day 5 post partum.
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
100 mg/kg bw/day
Basis:
actual ingested
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
300 mg/kg bw/day
Basis:
actual ingested
Remarks:
Doses / Concentrations:
1000 mg/kg bw/day
Basis:
actual ingested
No. of animals per sex per dose:
Ten animals per sex per dose.
Control animals:
yes, concurrent vehicle

Examinations

Maternal examinations:
DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS:
All animals were examined for overt signs of toxicity, ill-health and behavioural change immediately before dosing, up to thirty minutes after dosing, and one and five hours after dosing, during the working week. Animals were observed immediately before dosing, soon after dosing, and one hour after dosing at weekends and public holidays (except for females during parturition where applicable). All observations were recorded.

BODY WEIGHT:
Individual body weights were recorded on Day 1 (prior to dosing) and then weekly for males until termination and weekly for females until mating was evident. Body weights were then recorded for females on Days 0, 7, 14 and 20 post coitum, and on Days 1 and 4 post partum.

FOOD CONSUMPTION
During the pre-pairing period, weekly food consumption was recorded for each cage of adults. For females showing evidence of mating, food consumption was recorded for the periods covering post coitum Days 0-7, 7-14 and 14-20. For females with live litters, food consumption was recorded on Days 1 and 4 post partum.

WATER CONSUMPTION
Water intake was observed daily by visual inspection of water bottles for any overt changes.

POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS: Yes
- Sacrifice on gestation day
Adult females were killed by intravenous overdose of a suitable barbiturate agent followed by exsanguination on Day 5 post partum. Any females which failed to achieve pregnancy or produce a litter were killed on or after Day 25 post coitum.
All adult animals, including those dying during the study, were subjected to a full external and internal examination, and any macroscopic abnomalities were recorded.
- Organs examined:
The following organs, removed from animals that were killed at the end of the study, were dissected free from fat and weighed before fixation:
Adrenals, Prostate, Brain, Seminal vesicles, Epididymides, Spleen, Heart, Testes, Kidneys, Thymus, Liver, Thyroid (weighed post-fixation with Parathyroid), Ovaries, Uterus (weighed with Cervix), Pituitary (post fixation).

OTHER:
Pregnancy and Parturition
Each pregnant female was observed at approximately 0830, 1230 and 1630 hours and around the period of expected parturition. Observations were carried out at approximately 0830 and 1230 hours at weekends and public holidays. The following was recorded for each female:
i) Date of pairing
ii) Date of mating
iii) Date and time of observed start of parturition
iv) Date and time of observed completion of parturition
Ovaries and uterine content:
The ovaries and uterine content was examined after termination: Yes
Examinations included:
For all females, the uterus was examined for signs of implantation and the number of uterine implantations in each horn was recorded. This procedure was enhanced; as necessary, by staining the uteri with a 0.5% ammonium polysulphide solution (Salewski 1964).
Fetal examinations:
No fetal examination carried out however offspring were examined as follows:

Litter Data
On completion of parturition (Day 0 post partum), the number of live and dead offspring was recorded. Offspring were individually identified within each litter by tattoo on Day 1 post partum.
For each litter the following was recorded:
i) Number of offspring born
ii) Number of offspring alive recorded daily and reported on Days 1 and 4 post partum
iii) Sex of offspring on Days 1 and 4 post partum
iv) Clinical condition of offspring from birth to Day 5 post partum
v) Individual offspring weights on Days 1 and 4 post partum (litter weights were calculated retrospectively from this data)

Physical Development
All live offspring were assessed for surface righting reflex on Day 1 post partum.
Statistics:
Where considered appropriate, quantitative data was subjected to statistical analysis to detect the significance of intergroup differences from control; statistical significance was achieved at a level of p<0.05. Statistical analysis was performed on the following parameters:
Grip Strength, Motor Activity, Body Weight, Body Weight Change, Food Consumption during gestation and lactation, Pre-Coital Interval, Gestation Length, Litter Size, Litter Weight, Sex Ratio, Corpora Lutea, Implantation Sites, Implantation Losses, Viability Indices, Offspring Body Weight, Offspring Body Weight Change, Offspring Surface Righting, Haematology, Blood Chemistry, Absolute Organ Weights, Body Weight- Relative Organ Weights.
Data were analysed using the decision tree from the ProvantisTM Tables and Statistics Module as detailed below in "any other information on materials and methods".
Indices:
For Reproductive Indices, please see "any other informtion on materials and methods" below.

Litter Responses
The standard unit of assessment was considered to be the litter, therefore values were first calculated for each litter and the group mean was calculated using the individual litter values. Group mean values included all litters reared to termination (Day 5 of age).
i) Implantation Losses (%)
Group mean percentile pre-implantation and post-implantation loss were calculated for each female/litter as follows:
Pre–implantation loss = (Number of corpora lutea - number of implantation sites/Number of corpora lutea) x100
Post–implantation loss = (Number of implantation sites - Total number of offspring born/Number of implantation sites) x 100

ii) Live Birth and Viability Indices
The following indices were calculated for each litter as follows:
Live Birth Index (%) = (Number of offspring alive on Day 1/Number of offspring born) x 100
Viability Index (%) = (Number of offspring alive on Day 4/Number of offspring alive on Day 1) x 100

iii) Sex Ratio (% males)
Sex ratio was calculated for each litter on Days 0, 1 and 4 post partum, using the following formula:

(Number of male offspring/Total number of offspring) x 100
Historical control data:
Historical information on Offspring data can be found in Addendum 4 attached below.

Results and discussion

Results: maternal animals

Maternal developmental toxicity

Details on maternal toxic effects:
Maternal toxic effects:no effects

Details on maternal toxic effects:
CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY
No clinical signs were detected during the treatment period.
There were no unscheduled deaths during the study.

BODY WEIGHT AND FOOD CONSUMPTION
No adverse effects on body weight change were detected for females during the pre-pairing, gestation or lactation phases of the study.
Slightly low body weights were noted for females treated with 300 mg/kg bw/day when compared to controls on Day 0 of gestation. The significance achieved was minimal and considered to have arisen incidentally.

ORGAN WEIGHTS
Females treated with 1000 mg/kg bw/day showed a statistically significant increase in liver weights, both absolute and relative to terminal body weights, when compared to controls (p<0.01) with values for two animals outside of the normally expected ranges.
Pituitary weights were higher for females treated with 1000 and 300 mg/kg bw/day when compared to controls. Although three higher than expected values were evident at 1000 mg/kg bw/day, in the absence of any histopathological correlates, these increases were considered attributable to two lower than expected control values.
Females treated with 100 mg/kg bw/day showed a statistically significant reduction in thyroid/parathyroid weights when compared to controls. In the absence of a dose-related response, this finding was considered to be unrelated to test item toxicity.
A statistically significant increase in absolute and body weight-relative uterus and cervix weights was detected for females treated with 1000 mg/kg bw/day when compared to controls. Although two values were outside of the normally expected ranges, in the absence of any histopathological correlates, this finding was considered to have arisen incidentally.

GROSS PATHOLOGY
No treatment-related macroscopic abnormalities were detected.
Reddened lungs were observed for one female treated with 100 mg/kg bw/day and a malformed spleen was noted for one female treated with 300 mg/kg bw/day. Such findings are occasionally observed in rats of the strain and age employed; therefore these findings were of no toxicological importance.

HISTOPATHOLOGY
Histopathology examinations revealed the following treatment-related effects:
LIVER: Centrilobular to diffuse hepatocellular hypertrophy was recorded for two females treated with 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
For Incidence and Mean Severity Grade of Main Findings in Liver, please see table below in "any other information on results".
All remaining findings were those commonly observed in rats of the age and strain employed.

OTHER FINDINGS
Gestation Length
No treatment-related effects were detected in the length of gestation between control and treated groups.
Statistical analysis of the data did not reveal any significant intergroup differences.

Effect levels (maternal animals)

open allclose all
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)
Based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect level:
other: maternal toxicity
Dose descriptor:
NOEL
Effect level:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)
Based on:
test mat.
Basis for effect level:
other: developmental toxicity

Results (fetuses)

Details on embryotoxic / teratogenic effects:
Embryotoxic / teratogenic effects:no effects

Details on embryotoxic / teratogenic effects:
Assessment of litter response is based on all litters reared to termination on Day 5 of lactation/age.

VIABILITY (OFFSPRING)
In total, nine females from control, eight females from the 100 mg/kg bw/day dose group and ten females from the 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day dose groups gave birth to a live litter and successfully reared young to Day 5 age.

CLINICAL SIGNS (OFFSPRING)
No toxicologically important differences in litter weights, offspring weights or surface righting were detected for litters from treated groups when compared to control litters.
No treatment-related clinical signs were observed. Clinical signs were confined to two missing offspring, one from the 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day litters. This finding is commonly observed in reproductive studies of this type and is considered to be unrelated to treatment.

GROSS PATHOLOGY (OFFSPRING)
Post-mortem examinations did not reveal any treatment-related macroscopic findings for offspring. Necropsy observations were confined to the presence of one small female from a 1000 mg/kg bw/day litter with no milk in the stomach. Such findings are commonly observed in reproductive studies of this type and considered to be unrelated to treatment.

OTHER FINDINGS (OFFSPRING)
Offspring Litter Size, Sex Ratio and Viability
No toxicologically significant differences in litter size were evident for offspring from treated litters when compared to those from the controls.
No toxicologically significant differences in corpora lutea, implantation sites, or pre- and post-implantation losses were detected for females from treated groups when compared to controls. Statistical analysis of the data did not reveal any significant intergroup differences.
A higher percentage of males were noted in the 100 mg/kg bw/day litters when compared to controls. The significance achieved was minimal (p<0.05) for Day 0, Day 1 and Day 4 sex ratio values and as such, the higher values were considered to have arisen incidentally and were unrelated to treatment.

Fetal abnormalities

Abnormalities:
not specified

Overall developmental toxicity

Developmental effects observed:
not specified

Any other information on results incl. tables

Incidence and Mean Severity Grade of Main Findings in Liver

Finding Incidence/Mean Severity

Control

Low

Intermediate

High

5 M

5 F

5 M

5 F

5 M

5 F

5 M

5 F

Hepatocellular hypertrophy

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2/1.5

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
The oral administration of Strontium Titanium Trioxide to rats by gavage, at dose levels of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day, resulted in treatment-related changes at 1000 mg/kg bw/day. The effects detected were considered not to represent an adverse effect, therefore the ‘No Observed Adverse Effect Level’ (NOAEL) for systemic toxicity was considered to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
The ‘No Observed Effect Level’ (NOEL) for reproductive toxicity was considered to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
Executive summary:

Introduction.

The study was designed to investigate the systemic toxicity and potential adverse effects of the test item on reproduction (including offspring development) and is designed to be compatible with the requirements of the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals No. 422 “Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction/ Developmental Toxicity Screening Test” (adopted 22 March 1996).

This study was also designed to be compatible with the Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 of 30 May 2008 laying down test methods pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

Methods.

The test item was administered by gavage to three groups, each of ten male and ten female Wistar Han™:RccHan™:WIST strain rats, for up to eight weeks (including a two week pre-pairing phase, pairing, gestation and early lactation for females), at dose levels of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day. A control group of ten males and ten females was dosed with vehicle alone (Arachis oil BP). Clinical signs, behavioural assessments, body weight change and food and water consumption were monitored during the study.

Pairing of animals within each dose group was undertaken on a one male: one female basis within each treatment group on Day 15 of the study, with females subsequently being allowed to litter and rear their offspring to Day 5 of lactation.

During the lactation phase, daily clinical observations were performed on all surviving offspring, together with litter size and offspring weights and assessment of surface righting reflex.

Extensive functional observations were performed on five selected males from each dose group after the completion of the pairing phase (during the final week of treatment), and for five selected parental females from each dose group on Day 4post partum. Haematology and blood chemistry were evaluated prior to termination on five selected males and females from each dose group.

Adult males were terminated on Day 43, followed by the termination of all females and offspring on Day 5post partum. Any female which did not produce a pregnancy was terminated on or after Day 25post coitum. All animals were subjected to a gross necropsy examination and histopathological evaluation of selected tissues was performed.

Results.

Adult Responses:

Mortality.There were no unscheduled deaths.

Clinical Observations.There were no clinical signs detected.

Behavioural Assessment.No treatment-related effects were detected.

Functional Performance Tests.No treatment-related effects were detected.

Sensory Reactivity Assessments.No treatment-related effects were detected.

Body Weight.No adverse effects on body weight change were detected.

Food Consumption.No adverse effects on dietary intake were detected.

Water Consumption.Daily visual inspection of water bottles did not reveal any significant intergroup differences.

Reproductive Performance:

Mating.No treatment-related effects were detected for mating performance.

Fertility.No treatment-related effects on fertility were detected.

Gestation Lengths.No treatment-related effects were detected in the length of gestation between control and treated groups.

Litter Responses:

Offspring Litter Size, Sex Ratio and Viability.No toxicologically significant differences in litter size, viability or sex ratio were evident for offspring from treated litters when compared to those from the controls.

Offspring Growth and Development.No toxicologically important differences in litter weights, offspring weights or surface righting reflex were detected for litters from treated groups when compared to control litters. No treatment-related clinical signs were observed.Post-mortemexaminations did not reveal any treatment-related macroscopic findings for offspring.

Laboratory Investigations:

Haematology.No toxicologically significant haematological changes were detected.

Blood Chemistry.Bilirubin levels were higher for females treated with 1000 mg/kg bw/day when compared to controls. There were no further treatment-related changes detected.

Pathology:

Necropsy.No treatment-related macroscopic abnormalities were detected.

Organ Weights.Females treated with 1000 mg/kg bw/day showed an increase in liver weights, both absolute and relative to terminal body weights, when compared to controls.

Histopathology.Histopathology examinations revealed the following treatment-related effects:

LIVER:Hepatocellular hypertrophy was recorded for two females treated with 1000 mg/kg bw/day.

Conclusion.

The oral administration of Strontium Titanium Trioxide to rats by gavage, at dose levels of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day, resulted in treatment-related changes at 1000 mg/kg bw/day. The effects detected were considered not to represent an adverse effect, therefore the ‘No Observed Adverse Effect Level’ (NOAEL) for systemic toxicity was considered to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day. The ‘No Observed Effect Level’ (NOEL) for reproductive toxicity was considered to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day.