Prenatal developmental toxicity study of n-heneicosane in Wistar rats

n-Heneicosane (C21) is one of the vital pheromone for attracting mosquitoes of Aedes spp to lay their eggs in areas of stagnant fresh water, for their subsequent destruction, thus controlling spread of dangerous disease transmission by the vectors. As part of a safety evaluation, we have investigated embryo toxic and teratogenic potential, if any, of C21 following OECD Test Guideline 414. C21 was offered at a dose of 1 g/kg body weight mixed in the standard rat pellet diet to treated rats, whereas the control group received only standard rat pellet diet. There were no mortalities and animals did not show any clinical signs of toxicity. A similar pattern of body weight gain, feed and water intake was observed in treated and control groups. Analysis of maternal toxic response, maternal end points of development of the foetus and developmental end points for litters did not show any gross structural abnormality in dams or foetus of treated group compared to that of the control group. Thus, it was concluded that C21 at a dose of 1 g/kg was neither embryo toxic nor teratogenic in Wister rats. Furthermore, the no observed adverse effect level for teratogenicity for C21 in rats may be considered as 1 g/kg body weight under the present experimental conditions.