Thirteen-week subchronic toxicity study of thiamphenicol in F344 rats

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of thiamphenicol (TAP) was performed in F344 rats. The minimum lethal dose was estimated to be greater than 10 g/kg body weight, when a single dose of 4-10 g/kg of TAP was given orally. In the subchronic toxicity study, groups of 12 F344 rats of each sex were given solutions containing 0 (control), 125, 250 and 500 ppm of TAP as their drinking water ad libitum for 13 weeks. Body weight gain was significantly suppressed in both sexes of the 250 and 500 ppm groups. Slight suppression of erythropoiesis was observed in the highest-dose group along with slightly reduced spermatogenesis in the testes of the males. In addition, spermatogranulomas were found in the epididymis of both middle- and highest-dose groups. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was concluded to be 125 ppm (daily doses of 9.0 mg/kg in males and 11.6 mg/kg in females). From the above described results, doses of 250 and 125 ppm were selected as appropriate for a 2-year carcinogenicity study.