The developmental toxicity of 2-ethylhexanol applied dermally to pregnant Fischer 344 rats

Undiluted 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) was administered by occluded dermal application for 6 hr per day on Gestation Days 6 through 15 to pregnant Fischer 344 rats, in range-finding (R) and main (M) studies. The dermal route is considered to be the most relevant for human exposure. Treatment levels were (R) 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 ml/kg/day (equivalent to 0, 420, 840, 1680, and 2520 mg/kg/day) and (M) 0.0, 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 ml/kg/day (equivalent to 0, 252, 840, and 2520 mg/kg/day). Controls (0.0 ml/kg/day, sham controls) received deionized water at 3.0 ml/kg/day. Dermal-positive control groups received undiluted 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) at (R) 0.5 and 1.5 ml/kg/day and (M) 1.0 ml/kg/day as a reference compound in a similar regimen. An oral reference compound, valproic acid, was administered by gavage in the range-finding study on Gestation Days 6 through 15 at 400 mg/kg/day. The range-finding study employed an untreated (naive) control group. Numbers of plug-positive females per group were (R) 8 and (M) 25. Maternal weight gain was reduced for 2-EH at 1680 (R) and 2520 (R and M studies) mg/kg/day. Exfoliation and encrustation were seen at the application site in both studies at 840, 1680, and 2520 mg/kg. Maternal liver, kidney, thymus, spleen, adrenal, and uterine weights, and gestational and fetal parameters were unaffected by treatment with 2-EH. There were no treatment-related increases in the incidence of individual or pooled external, visceral, and skeletal malformations or variations following the application of 2-EH. The NOAELs for the maternal toxicity of 2-EH were 252 mg/kg/day based on skin irritation and 840 mg/kg/day based on systemic toxicity. The developmental toxicity NOAEL was at least 2520 mg/kg/day, with no teratogenicity. Administration of 2-ME at 840 mg/kg/day resulted in reduced maternal weight gain and food consumption, increased postimplantation loss, reduced numbers of live fetuses per litter, and reduced fetal body weights per litter. The incidence of fetal malformations and variations was increased. Oral administration of VPA produced maternal toxicity, developmental toxicity, and teratogenicity. The Fischer 344 rat is thus susceptible to known rodent teratogens by both the dermal and oral routes. It is concluded that 2-EH is not developmentally toxic by the dermal route in the Fischer 344 rat at and below treatment levels which produce maternal toxicity.