251. Reproduction study of toxaphene in the rat.
- Author
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Chu I, Secours V, Villeneuve DC, Valli VE, Nakamura A, Colin D, Clegg DJ, and Arnold EP
- Subjects
- Aminopyrine N-Demethylase metabolism, Animals, Eating drug effects, Female, Fertility drug effects, Growth drug effects, Kidney pathology, Liver enzymology, Liver pathology, Male, Organ Size drug effects, Pesticide Residues metabolism, Pregnancy, Rats, Rats, Inbred Strains, Sex Factors, Thyroid Gland pathology, Toxaphene pharmacokinetics, Insecticides toxicity, Reproduction drug effects, Toxaphene toxicity
- Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate in rats the reproductive effects of toxaphene, an insecticidal mixture which has been identified as a pollutant in the Great Lakes ecosystem. Groups of 30 female and 15 male weanling rats were given toxaphene in the diets at 0, 4.0, 20, 100 or 500 ppm in a 1 generation 2 litter reproduction study. Toxaphene treatment at the levels studied had no effects on the litter size, pup weight, fertility, or gestation and survival indices. Toxic effects in the parental rats included depressed weight gain, elevated serum cholesterol, and increased liver and kidney weight and hepatic microsomal enzyme activities. Most of these effects were associated only with 500 ppm toxaphene treatment. Treatment-related histological changes in the liver, thyroid and kidney of adult rats were observed at levels as low as 20 ppm. Based on the data presented, the no observable adverse effect dose of toxaphene was considered to be 4.0 ppm in the diet (0.29-0.38 mg/kg b.w./day depending on the amount of dietary intake).
- Published
- 1988
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