Reproductive toxicity of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether tested by continuous breeding of CD-1 mice

The reproductive toxicity of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE) was evaluated in the Fertility Assessment by Continuous Breeding protocol. Both male and female CD-1 mice were given 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2% EGEE in the drinking water and were housed as breeding pairs continuously for 14 weeks. Significant adverse effects on fertility were seen at 1 and 2% but not at 0.5%. After the continuous breeding phase of this test was completed, treated males were housed with control females and treated females with control males and fertility and reproduction were compared to the corresponding pairs of control male and control female mice. Both males and females from the 1 and 2% groups were affected. Testicular atrophy, decreased sperm motility and increased abnormal sperm were noted in the treated males, but no specific anomalies were detected in the females.