Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of silicone gel Q7-2159A in rats and rabbits

Studies reported here assessed the potential adverse effects of silicone gel, Dow Corning Q7-2159A, on general reproduction and fetal development in male and female Charles River CD rats and New Zealand white rabbits. Two control and three treatment groups of 30 male and 30 female rats and 25 female rabbits per group were used in the one-generation reproduction and developmental toxicity studies, respectively. The silicone gel was implanted subcutaneously in two flank sites at dosage levels of 3, 10, and 30 ml/kg. The highest dose was selected on the basis of likely human body burden. Control groups received either sterile saline or carboxymethylcellulose solution in two flank implantation sites. The control and test articles were implanted in male and female rats 61 and 47 days, respectively, prior to mating (in the rat reproduction study) and approximately 42 days prior to insemination of female rabbits (in the rabbit developmental toxicity study). There were no treatment-related effects on F0 parental general conditions and reproductive performance, F1 neonatal viability, or growth in the rat reproduction study. No maternal nor developmental effects, including teratogenicity, were observed in rabbits in the groups implanted with Q7-2159A gel in the developmental toxicity study.