Two-generation reproductive toxicity study of aluminium sulfate in rats

In a two-generation reproductive toxicity study, male and female rats were given aluminium sulfate (AS) in drinking water at 0, 120, 600 or 3000 ppm. AS reduced water consumption in all treatment groups, and body weight was transiently decreased in the 3000 ppm group. In the F1 and F2 pups, preweaning body weight gain was inhibited at 3000 ppm, and the liver and spleen weight was decreased at weaning. At this dose, vaginal opening was slightly delayed. There were no compound-related changes in other reproductive/developmental parameters, including developmental neurobehavioral endpoints. The data indicated that the NOAEL of AS in this two-generation study is 600 ppm for parental systemic toxicity and reproductive/developmental toxicity. The total ingested dose of aluminium from drinking water and food (standard rat diet, containing 25-29 ppm of aluminium) combined for this 600 ppm group was calculated to be 8.06 mg Al/kg bw/day.