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Toxicological information

Toxicity to reproduction

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
screening for reproductive / developmental toxicity
Type of information:
other: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
20 April 2012 to 5 December 2012
Reliability:
2 (reliable with restrictions)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study with acceptable restrictions
Cross-reference
Reason / purpose for cross-reference:
reference to same study

Data source

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

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)
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Limit test:
no

Test material

1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Sodium diisopropylnaphthalenesulphonate
EC Number:
215-343-3
EC Name:
Sodium diisopropylnaphthalenesulphonate
Cas Number:
1322-93-6
Molecular formula:
C16H20O3S.Na
IUPAC Name:
sodium 2,3-diisopropylnaphthalene-1-sulfonate
Test material form:
solid: particulate/powder

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Sprague-Dawley
Sex:
male/female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source:Charles River Laboratories France, L’Arbresle, France. Crl CD® (SD) IGS BR, Caesarian Obtained, Barrier Sustained-Virus Antibody Free, (COBS-VAF®).
- Age at study initiation: the males were approximately 10 weeks old, the females were approximately 9 weeks old
- Weight at study initiation: males: a mean body weight of 415 g (range 381 g to 440 g), and female a mean body weight of 243 g (range: 218 g to 288 g).
- Fasting period before study: no
- Housing: The animals were individually housed, except during pairing, in polycarbonate cages (Techniplast 2154.940 cm²) with stainless steel lids, and containing autoclaved sawdust (SICSA, Alfortville, France).
Toward the end of gestation and during lactation with their litter, autoclaved wood shavings (SICSA Alfortville, France) was provided as nesting material, a few days before delivery and during the lactation period.
half hut was given as enrichment of the environment of the rats.
The cages were placed in numerical order on the racks.
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): The animals had free access to SSNIFF R/M-H pelleted maintenance diet, batch No. 5776559 and 2626975 (SSNIFF Spezialdiäten GmbH, Soest, Germany) which was distributed weekly.
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): The animals had free access to bottles containing tap water (filtered with a 0.22 µm filter)
- Acclimation period: the animals were acclimated for a period of 5 days before the beginning of the treatment period.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 22 ± 2°C
- Humidity (%): 50 ± 20%
- Air changes (per hr): about 12 cycles/hour of filtered, non-recycled air.
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12h/12h (7:00 - 19:00)

IN-LIFE DATES: From:2012-05-02 To: 2012-06-08

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
beeswax
Details on exposure:
PPREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:
The test item was administered as a solution in the vehicle. The test item was mixed with the required quantity of vehicle.
The dosage formulations were prepared on a daily basis.
The dosage forms were stored and delivered at room temperature in brown flasks.


VEHICLE
drinking water treated by reverse osmosis using an ELIX 5 apparatus
- Concentration in vehicle: 0, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg of active ingredient
- Amount of vehicle (if gavage): 5 ml/kg
Details on mating procedure:
- M/F ratio per cage:1/1
- Length of cohabitation: until mating occurs or 14 days
- Proof of pregnancy: vaginal plug or sperm in a vaginal lavage. referred to as day 0 of pregnancy
- After 14 days of unsuccessful pairing replacement of first male by another male with proven fertility.
- Further matings after two unsuccessful attempts: no
- After successful mating each pregnant female was caged (how): Alone
- Any other deviations from standard protocol: No
Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
yes
Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
The High Performance Liquid Chromatography with UV detection (HPLC/UV) analytical method for the determination of Reaction product of naphthalene, propan-2-ol, sulfonated and neutralized by caustic soda in dosage form samples was validated at CIT prior to dosage form analysis.
The analytical method was validated for concentration ranging from 2 to 200 mg/ml.

The concentration of the test item in samples of each control and test item dosage form prepared for use in weeks 1, 3 and 5 was determined. In addition, the concentration of the test item in a sample of the high-dose test item form prepared for use in week 2 was determined.

Acceptance criterion: measured concentration = nominal concentration ± 10%

The validation of the analytical method was conducted in CIT/Study No. 38263 VAA and precise details concerning the checked parameters, acceptance criteria and obtained results were documented in the corresponding validation report.

Each analytical sequence consisted of at least:
+ A blank sample (diluent only),
+ Ten standard samples at nominal concentration, prepared from two independent standard solutions,
+ Study samples prepared from aliquots of the dosage forms.
The standard samples bracketed the dosage form samples.
The blank sample was checked for the absence of chromatographic interference.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
The dosage forms were administered daily according to the following schedule:
. in the males:
- 2 weeks before pairing (from study day 1 to 14),
- during the pairing period (from study day 15 until study day 16 to 25),
- until sacrifice (at least 5 weeks in total)(from study day 17 to 26 until study day 36).

. in the females:
- 2 weeks before pairing (from study day 1 to 14),
- during the pairing period (from study day 15 to 25),
- during gestation (from study day 16 to 26 until study day 36 to 46),
- during lactation until day 5 post-partum inclusive (from study day 37 to 47 until study day 42 to 52),

Study day 1 corresponds to the first day of the treatment period.
Frequency of treatment:
Once a day at approximately the same time.
Details on study schedule:
Not appropriate
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Dose / conc.:
30 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
expressed as active material in mg/kg bw/d
Dose / conc.:
100 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
expressed as active material in mg/kg bw/d
Dose / conc.:
300 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)
Remarks:
expressed as active material in mg/kg bw/d
Dose / conc.:
39.8 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
expressed as registered substance (UVCB 100%)
Dose / conc.:
133 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
expressed as registered substance (UVCB 100%
Dose / conc.:
398 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
expressed as registered substance (UVCB 100%
No. of animals per sex per dose:
10
Control animals:
yes, concurrent vehicle
Details on study design:
The dose-levels were selected in agreement with the Sponsor based on 2 week dose range finding study by oral route (gavage) in rat (CiToxLAB France/Study No. 38818 TSR). In this preliminary study, the following findings were recorded:
- mortality: at 1000 mg/kg/day, all animals were found dead or sacrificed moribund on study day 2. Severe clinical signs preceded the deaths or decision to sacrifice (i.e.: thin appearance, hunched posture, piloerection, loud breathing, soiled fur, cold to the touch and/or hypoactivity),
- clinical signs: all test item-treated animals had ptyalism (at the end of the treatment period at 100 or 300 mg/kg/day). Clinical signs (thin appearance, hunched posture, loud breathing, and/or dyspnea) were recorded at 100 or 300 mg/kg/day, but with an overall increased incidence in males when compared to females,
- body weight: there were no effects on mean body weight in all surviving animals at 100 or 300 mg/kg/day,
- food consumption: there were no effects on mean food consumption in all surviving animals at 100 or 300 mg/kg/day,
- pathology: in found dead or sacrificed moribund animals, there were red discoloration(s) and/or thickened wall in stomach, jejunum, ileum, cecum, forestomach and/or duodenum. The digestive organs were or not distended with gas. In surviving males, there were increased (≥ 10% vs. controls) absolute and/or relative liver, kidneys and testes weights at 300 mg/kg/day. In surviving females, there were increased (≥ 10% vs. controls) absolute and/or relative kidneys weight at 300 mg/kg/day and decreased (≤ -8 to -15% vs. controls) absolute and/or relative heart and ovaries weight from 100 mg/kg/day. At necropsy there were a few isolated findings (liver with yellow discoloration at 100 mg/kg/day in 1/3 males and lung(s) with dilatation in 1/3 females at 300 mg/kg/day).

Overall, 1000 mg/kg/day was considered to be an excessive high dose-level for the further OECD 422 study while 300 mg/kg/day could be an appropriate high dose-level.

Therefore 300 mg/kg/day was selected as the high dose-level. The low-dose and mid dose have been selected using a ratio representing a 3-fold interval (i.e. 30 and 100 mg/kg/day).
Positive control:
Not included

Examinations

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:
CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: once a day before the treatment period and at least twice a day during the treatment period

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Detailed clinical examinations were performed on all animals outside the home cage, in a standard arena, once before the beginning of the treatment period and then once a week until the end of the study.

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations:
+ males: on the first day of treatment (day 1), then once a week until sacrifice.
+ femelles: on the first day of treatment (day 1), then once a week until mated and on days 0, 7, 14 and 20 p.c. and days 1 and 5 p.p..
The body weight of female sacrificed on day 25 p.c. for no delivery was recorded the day of sacrifice, presented in the report but not including in the statistical evaluation.


FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if feeding study):
- Food consumption for each animal determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes
The quantity of food consumed by each male was measured once a week, over a 7 day period, from the first day of treatment until the start of the pairing period.
The quantity of food consumed by each female was measured once a week, over a 7 day period, from the first day of treatment until the start of pairing period, during pregnancy at the intervals days 0-7, 7-14 and 14-20 p.c. and during lactation for interval days 1 5 p.p..
During the pairing period, the food consumption was measured neither for males nor females.
Food intake per animal and per day was calculated by noting the difference between the food given and that in the food-hopper the next time.

WATER CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if drinking water study): No

OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: Yes pupillary reflex during the FOB test
- Dose groups that were examined: 5 males and 5 female per group

HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: on the day of sacrifice
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes light isoflurane anesthesia
- Animals fasted: Yes for an overnight period of at least 14 hours
- How many animals: the first five males and the first five females to deliver from each group
- Parameters checked in table 7.8.1/1 were examined.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY:
- Time schedule for collection of blood: on the day of sacrifice
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes light isoflurane anesthesia
- Animals fasted: Yes for an overnight period of at least 14 hours
- How many animals: the first five males and the first five females to deliver from each group
- Parameters checked in table 7.8.1/1 were examined.

URINALYSIS: No

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: once at the end of the treatment period
- Dose groups that were examined: The first five males and the first five females to deliver
- Battery of functions tested:
+"touch escape" or ease of removal from the cage
+In the hand: fur appearance, salivation, lachrymation, piloerection, exophthalmos, reactivity to handling, pupil size (presence of myosis or mydriasis)
+ In the standard arena (2-minute recording): grooming, palpebral closure, defecation, urination, tremors, twitches, tonic and clonic convulsions, gait, arousal (hypo- and hyper-activity), posture, stereotypy, behavior, breathing, ataxia and hypotonia
+ The following parameter measurements, reflexes and responses were recorded:
. touch response,
. forelimb grip strength,
. pupillary reflex,
. visual stimulus response,
. auditory startle reflex,
. tail pinch response,
. righting reflex,
. landing foot splay,
. at the end of observation: rectal temperature.

OTHER:
+ at the end of observation: rectal temperature.
+Motor activity of all animals was measured once by automated infra-red sensor equipment over a 60-minute period
Oestrous cyclicity (parental animals):
The estrous cycle stage was determined from a fresh vaginal lavage (stained with methylene blue), each morning during the pairing period, until the females are mated.
Litter observations:
Each live pup was identified individually on day 1 p.p., by subcutaneous injection of Indian ink.

Litter size
The total litter size and numbers of pups of each sex were recorded as soon as possible after birth. Any gross malformations in pups were noted.
The litters were observed daily in order to note the number of live, dead and cannibalized pups.

Clinical signs
The pups were observed daily for clinical signs or abnormal behavior.

Body weight
The body weight of each pup was recorded on days 1 and 5 p.p..
Postmortem examinations (parental animals):
SACRIFICE
GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes
Parent animals:
A complete macroscopic post-mortem examination was performed on all parent animals. This included examination of the external surfaces, all orifices, the cranial cavity, the external surfaces of the brain and spinal cord, the thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities with their associated organs and tissues and the neck with its associated organs and tissues. The numbers of corpora lutea and implantation sites were also recorded for females sacrificed as scheduled on day 6 post partum and for female sacrificed on day 25 post-coitum due to no delivery. For apparently non-pregnant females the presence of implantation scars on the uterus was checked using the ammonium sulphide staining technique.
Pup examinations:
A macroscopic post-mortem examination of the principal thoracic and abdominal organs was performed on all pups showing relevant external abnormalities. No tissues were preserved.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes (see table 7.8.1/2)
Postmortem examinations (offspring):
A macroscopic post-mortem examination of the principal thoracic and abdominal organs was performed on all found dead pups. Special attention was paid to whether the pup had fed (e.g. presence of milk in the stomach). No tissues were preserved.

GROSS NECROPSY
A macroscopic post-mortem examination of the principal thoracic and abdominal organs was performed on all pups showing relevant external abnormalities. No tissues were preserved.
Reproductive indices:
. pre-implantation loss:
Number of corpora lutea - Number of implantation sites
_____________________________________________ x 100
Number of corpora lutea

. post-implantation loss:
Number of implantation sites - Number of live pups
_____________________________________________ x 100
Number of implantations

. mating index:
Number of mated animals
_____________________ x 100
Number of paired animals

. fertility index:
Number of pregnant female partners
_______________________________ x 100
Number of mated pairs

. gestation index:
Number of females with live born pups
________________________________ x 100
Number of pregnant females
Offspring viability indices:
. live birth index:
Number of live born pups
_____________________ x 100
Number of delivered pups

. viability index on day 4 post-partum:
Number of surviving pups on day 4 post-partum
_______________________________________ x 100
Number of live born pups

Results and discussion

Results: P0 (first parental generation)

General toxicity (P0)

Clinical signs:
effects observed, treatment-related
Body weight and weight changes:
effects observed, treatment-related
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
effects observed, treatment-related
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:
effects observed, treatment-related
Other effects:
not examined

Reproductive function / performance (P0)

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:
no effects observed
Reproductive function: sperm measures:
not examined
Reproductive performance:
no effects observed

Details on results (P0)

CLINICAL SIGNS AND MORTALITY
There were no unscheduled deaths in control or test item-treated groups.
Emaciated appearance was observed from 100 mg/kg/day in a few males only. Hypoactivity and loud/abdominal breathing were observed at 300 mg/kg/day in some females only. All these clinical signs were considered to be related to the treatment with the test item. Ptyalism, observed in most high dose animals, was considered to be related to the test item but of minor toxicological importance.

BODY WEIGHT AND WEIGHT GAIN
In males, there were a dose related decrease in mean body weight gain for the period of days 1 to 8 only. When compared with control the differences were statistically significant from 100 mg/kg/day (+11 g vs. +25 g, p<0.05) and resulted in a body weight loss at 300 mg/kg/day (-2 g vs. +25 g, p<0.001). These findings were considered to be related to treatment with the test item. In females, there were no effects on mean body weight or mean body weight gain.

FOOD CONSUMPTION
When compared with control, there was a statistically significant decrease in mean food consumption in males given 300 mg/kg/day for the period of days 1 to 8 only (29 g/day vs. 34 g/day, p<0.001). This finding was considered to be related to treatment with the test item. In females, there were no effects on mean food consumption during the premating, mating, gestation or lactation periods.

HAEMATOLOGY
There were no toxicologically significant findings.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
There were no toxicologically significant findings.

NEUROBEHAVIOUR
There were no relevant differences in treated groups when compared with control group.

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE (PARENTAL ANIMALS)
There were no treatment related effects on mating and fertility data. All animals mated within comparable mean number of days taken to mate.

ORGAN WEIGHTS
Minimal increases in adrenal weights were seen in females given the test item at 300 mg/kg/day. In the absence of microscopic correlates, this variation was considered to be of equivocal significance.

GROSS PATHOLOGY
There were no macroscopic findings after administration of the test item at 30, 100 or 300 mg/kg/day.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: NON-NEOPLASTIC
There were no microscopic findings after administration of the test item at 30, 100 or 300 mg/kg/day.

Effect levels (P0)

open allclose all
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Remarks:
general toxicity
Effect level:
100 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
other: expressed as active material in mg/kg bw/d (considering the purity of the substance)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: clinical signs in males at 100 mg/kg bw/d: emaciated appearance, decrease in body weight change
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Remarks:
general toxicity
Effect level:
133 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
other: expressed as registered substance (UVCB 100%)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: Clinical signs in males at 100 mg/kg bw/d: emaciated appearance, decrease in body weight change
Dose descriptor:
NOEL
Remarks:
reproductive performance
Effect level:
300 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
other: expressed as active material in mg/kg bw/d (considering the purity of the substance)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: absence of any treatment-related effect on mating and fertility
Dose descriptor:
NOEL
Remarks:
reproductive performance
Effect level:
398 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
other: expressed as registered substance (UVCB 100%)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: absence of any treatment-related effect on mating and fertility

Results: F1 generation

General toxicity (F1)

Clinical signs:
no effects observed
Mortality / viability:
mortality observed, treatment-related
Body weight and weight changes:
no effects observed
Sexual maturation:
not examined
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
not examined
Gross pathological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related

Details on results (F1)

VIABILITY (OFFSPRING)
There were no obvious treatment-related effects on live birth, viability and lactation indexes with the exception of a trend towards decreased viability and lactation indexes at 300 mg/kg/day.
In the 300 mg/kg/day group, there were increases in the number of found dead and cannibalized pups. One litter had four found dead pups and three cannibalized pups. While not dose related, a test item treatment-related effect cannot be excluded.

CLINICAL SIGNS (OFFSPRING)
There were no obvious treatment-related findings.

BODY WEIGHT (OFFSPRING)
There were no effects on mean body weight neither in male nor in female pups during the lactation period (day 1 or day 5 p.p.).

GROSS PATHOLOGY (OFFSPRING)
There were no obvious treatment-related findings at necropsy of found dead pups or scheduled sacrifice pups.

Effect levels (F1)

open allclose all
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Generation:
F1
Effect level:
300 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
other: expressed as active material in mg/kg bw/d (considering the purity of the substance)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: equivocal reduced pup survival at 300 mg/kg/day which can be considered as secondary effect to general toxicity in parents.
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Generation:
F1
Effect level:
398 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
other: expressed as registered substance (UVCB 100%)
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: equivocal reduced pup survival at 300 mg/kg/day which can be considered as secondary effect to general toxicity in parents.

Overall reproductive toxicity

Reproductive effects observed:
no
Treatment related:
no

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
Based on the experimental conditions of this study:
- NOAEL for general toxicity in parents was considered to be 100 mg/kg/day (i.e. 133 mg/kg/day in terms of test item as registered) based on clinical findings in males,
- NOEL for reproductive performance was considered to be 300 mg/kg/day (i.e. 398 mg/kg/day as registered substance) in the absence of any treatment-related effect on mating and fertility at this dose-level,
- NOAEL for toxic effects on progeny was considered to be 300 mg/kg/day (i.e. 398 mg/kg/day as registered substance) based on equivocal reduced pup survival at this dose-level which can be considered as secondary effect to the general toxicity in parents.
Executive summary:

In a combined repeated dose toxicity study with the reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test by oral route performed in compliance with the GLP and in accordance with the OECD 422 test guideline, the test item diluted in water was administered daily by gavage to Sprague Dawley rats (10 animals/sex/dose) at doses of 0; 30; 100 and 300 mg/kg bw/d (corresponding to 0; 39.8; 133 and 398 mg/kg bw/d in terms of active subsatnce). Males were exposed 2 weeks before pairing, during pairing and until sacrifice (at least 5 weeks in total) whereas females were exposed 2 weeks before pairing, during pairing, during gestation and during lactation until day 5 post-partum (6-7 weeks in total). The animals were paired for mating after 2 weeks of treatment and the dams were allowed to litter and rear their progeny until day 5 p.p..

Animals were checked daily for clinical signs, mortality, and detailed clinical observations were conducted weekly. Body weight was recorded weekly until sacrifice and then at designated intervals throughout gestation and lactation for the females. Female estrous cycle stage was determined each morning during the pairing period, until the females are mated. Prior to sacrifice, blood samples were also taken from these animals for analysis of hematology and blood biochemistry parameters. At sacrifice body weights and selected organs weights were recorded and a complete macroscopic post-mortem examination performed with particular attention paid to the reproductive organs. A microscopic examination was also conducted on selected organs from the first five animals in the control group and the high-dose group. Microscopic examination was conducted on all macroscopic lesions from all groups.

The total litter sizes and numbers of pups of each sex were recorded after birth. The pups were observed daily for clinical signs of toxicity and pup body weights were recorded on days 1 and 5 p.p..

Pups showing relevant external abormalities at scheduled sacrifice and those found dead before study termination, were submitted for a macroscopic post-mortem examination.

The test item concentrations in the administered dose formulations analyzed in weeks 1, 3 and 5 remained within an acceptable range of -3.7 % to +4.4 % when compared to the nominal values. SUPRAGIL WP was not detected in control samples.

 

With regards to reproductive and developmental parameters, the following observations were made:

There were no treatment related effects on mating and fertility data. No relevant differences between control and test item-treated groups were observed regarding the mean duration of gestation, the mean number of corpora lutea, the mean number of implantations, the mean pre-implantation loss, the mean number of pups delivered and the mean post-implantation loss. In the 300 mg/kg bw/d group, there were increases in the number of found dead and cannibalizedpups: one litter had four found dead pups and three cannibalized pups. While not dose-related, a test item treatment-related effect cannot be excluded. There were no obvious treatment-related effects on live birth, viability and lactation indexes with the exception of a trend towards decreased viability and lactation indexes at 300 mg/kg bw/d. There were no effects on the mean body weight of pup during the lactation period (day 1 or day 5p.p.). While not statistically significant, there was a dose-related decrease in sex-ratio (% of male pups) both on day 1 and 5p.p.. At 300 mg/kg bw/d, a test item treatment-related effect cannot be excluded. There were no obvious treatment-related findings at necropsy of found dead pups or scheduled sacrifice pups.

In conclusion, based on the experimental conditions of this study:

- the No Observed Effect Level (NOEL) for reproductive performance was considered to be 398 mg/kg/day (highest dose tested) in the absence of any treatment-related effect on mating and fertility at this dose-level,

- the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for toxic effects on progeny was considered to be 398 mg/kg/day based on equivocal reduced pup survival at this dose-level which can be considered as secondary effect to the general toxicity in parents.