Benzene mono-C10-13-alkyl derivatives, distillation residues, sulfonated, sodium salts

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Effects on fertility

Description of key information

In the key one-generation reproduction study (OECD 415), a calcium sulfonate read across substance, (CAS 115733-09-0), was administered in corn oil via oral gavage to 28 Sprague-Dawley rats/sex at dose levels of 0, 50, 167 and 500 mg/kg bw/day (Bjorn, 2004). All F0 males were dosed for 70 days prior to mating, mating (maximum 3 weeks) and through the completion of parturition. All F0 females were dosed for up to 70 days (14 days prior to mating, during mating and gestation and through day 20 of lactation). No substance related effects occurred in treated animals, except for the observation of post dosing salivation and dark material around the nose in the mid and high dose groups in F0 males and the negative ammonium sulfide staining in two high dose and one mid dose F0 female.

The animals were observed twice daily for appearance and behavior, and a detailed clinical observation was performed weekly and daily for females during gestation. Cage site observations were performed daily approximately 30 to 120-minutes post dosing. In addition, the bodyweights were determined weekly and on the day of euthanasia for males. Females were weighed after evidence of mating on gestational days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Food consumption was recorded on the same days as body weights except during the mating period. Animals were paired 1:1 for mating, after successful mating each pregnant female was caged individually. Positive evidence of mating was confirmed by the presence of sperm or a vaginal copulatory plug (day 0 of gestation). If evidence of mating was not present after three weeks, mating was discontinued. All of the surviving F0 females were allowed to deliver and rear their pups to lactation day 21. Detailed pup examinations and pup sex were performed on lactation days 0. Pups that were stillborn, cannibalized or found dead were subjected to a gross necropsy with emphasis on developmental morphology. Pups culled on day 4 were subjected to an abbreviated gross necropsy with emphasis on the reproductive system. All internal gross lesions were preserved for possible future microscopic examination. Gross necropsies (consisting of external and internal examinations including the cervical, thoracic and abdominal viscera) were performed on death, organ weights and microscopic examinations were performed on termination. The surviving F0 dams were necropsied on lactation day 21, following a minimum of 60 days of dosing. The surviving F0 males were necropsied at the conclusion of parturition following a minimum of 96 days of dosing. F0 females that failed to deliver were necropsied on post-mating day 25 (with evidence of mating) or 25 days following the termination of the mating period (with no evidence of mating). Organ weights were determined and microscopic examinations were conducted for all surviving control and high dose F0 animals. Tissues examined microscopically included the liver, kidney, brain, right epididymides, cervix, coagulation gland, ovaries, pituitary, prostrate, seminal vesicles, testes, uterus, vagina and gross lesions. F0 animals from all groups found dead or sacrificed early were subjected to a gross necropsy and the microscopic evaluation of all tissues. Sperm was collected from all surviving F0 males and evaluated for sperm count, concentration, motility and morphology assessment. The parameters examined in P males included: testis weight, epididymis weight, sperm count in epididymides, enumeration of cauda epididymal sperm reserve, sperm motility and sperm morphology. The F1 offsprings were examined for number and sex of pups, stillbirths, postnatal mortality, presence of gross anomalies, weight gain, physical or behavioral abnormalities. Moreover, a gross examination of dead pups was conducted for external and internal abnormalities. So the possible cause of death of pups born or found dead was evaluated.

No substance related effects occurred in treated animals, except for the observation of post dosing salivation and dark material around the nose in the mid and high dose groups in F0 males and the negative ammonium sulfide staining in two high dose and one mid dose F0-female. No treatment related gross necropsy findings were evident in any of the F1 pups examined (stillborn, dead during lactation, culled or examined at scheduled sacrifice on lactation day 21). Based on the results of this study it is concluded that the 500 mg/kg/day dose level, the highest dose tested, is the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for parental F0 and F1 pup toxicity.

Short description of key information:
The reproductive toxicity profile of benzene, mono-C10-13-alkyl derivatives, distillation residues, sulfonated, sodium salt (registered substance) was not determined by actual toxicity testing. Instead, a read across substance was used to predict the reproductive toxicity behaviour of the registered substance.

Justification for selection of Effect on fertility via oral route:
In a 1-generation reproduction study, benzenesulfonic acid, C14-C24 branched and linear alkyl derivatives was administered to 28 Sprague-Dawley rats/sex/via gavage at dose levels of 0, 50, 167 and 500 mg/kg bw/day. No substance related effects occurred in treated animals. As no effects occurred at the highest dose, a NOAEL cannot be identified, and is greater than 500 mg/kg bw/day for reproductive toxicity.
  
This study is acceptable, and satisfies the guideline requirement for a 1-generation reproductive study; OECD 415 in rats. 

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Endpoint:

one-generation reproductive toxicity

Remarks:

based on test type (migrated information)

Type of information:

migrated information: read-across from supporting substance (structural analogue or surrogate)

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: The study meets the criteria for Klimisch code 1, as it is conducted to OECD guidelines and to GLP. However as this study is used in the context of a read across, Klimisch 2 is assigned.

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 415 [One-Generation Reproduction Toxicity Study (before 9 October 2017)]

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Species:

rat

Strain:

Sprague-Dawley

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories
- Age at study initiation: (P) males 5 wks, females 7 weeks; (F1) x wks
- Weight at study initiation: (P) Males: 154-197 g; Females: 139-184 g;
- Housing: Suspended wire cages
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): ad libitum
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): ad libitum
- Acclimation period: 12 days


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 18-26°C
- Humidity (%): 30-70%
- Air changes (per hr): 10-15 changes/hour
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12 hours light/dark cycle

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

corn oil

Details on exposure:

PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS: Corn oil was added to the test substance to achieve the desired volume and then stirred for 30 minutes.


VEHICLE
- Justification for use and choice of vehicle (if other than water): Corn oil

Details on mating procedure:

- M/F ratio per cage: 1:1
- Length of cohabitation:
- Proof of pregnancy: vaginal plug / sperm in vaginal smear referred to as day 0 of pregnancy
- After successful mating each pregnant female was caged individually

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Duration of treatment / exposure:

F0 males - 70 days premating; mating period through completion of parturition
F0 females - 14 days premating; mating; 25 days of gestation and 20 days of lactation.
F1 pups - gestation through day 20 of lactation

Frequency of treatment:

daily

Remarks:

Doses / Concentrations:
0, 50, 167, 500 mg/kg bw
Basis:
other: gavage

No. of animals per sex per dose:

28 F0 rats/sex/group in control, low, mid and high dose

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: Based on results of a 28 day oral gavage study.

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Twice daily


DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Weekly and daily for females during gestation


BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Weekly and on the day on euthanasia for males. After evidence of mating, females were weighed on gestational days 0, 7, 14 and 21 and on lactation days 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21.

Sperm parameters (parental animals):

Parameters examined in P male parental generations:
testis weight, epididymis weight, sperm count in epididymides, enumeration of cauda epididymal sperm reserve, sperm motility, sperm morphology.

Litter observations:

PARAMETERS EXAMINED
The following parameters were examined in F1 offspring:
number and sex of pups, stillbirths, live births, postnatal mortality, presence of gross anomalies, weight gain, physical or behavioural abnormalities.


GROSS EXAMINATION OF DEAD PUPS:
yes, for external and internal abnormalities; possible cause of death was determined for pups born or found dead.

Postmortem examinations (parental animals):

gross necroscopy on death, organ weights and microscopic examination on termination
SACRIFICE
- Male animals: All surviving animals after completion of female parturition.
- Maternal animals: All surviving animals that delivered on lactation day 21; females that failed to deliver were sacrificed on gestation day 25.

GROSS NECROPSY
- Gross necropsy consisted of external and internal examinations including the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal viscera.

Postmortem examinations (offspring):

SACRIFICE
- These animals were subjected to macroscopic postmortem examinations


GROSS NECROPSY
- Gross necropsy consisted of external and internal examinations including the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal viscera.

Statistics:

ANOVA for body weights, changes, food consumption, semen parameters, organ weights.

Reproductive indices:

yes

Offspring viability indices:

yes

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

no effects observed

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, treatment-related

Other effects:

not specified

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:

not examined

Reproductive function: sperm measures:

no effects observed

Reproductive performance:

no effects observed

There were no remarkable findings in F0 males, with the exception of post dosing salivation.
in F0 females, there were no remarkable findings with the exception of negative ammonium sulfide staining in two high dose and one mid dose animal.

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

> 500 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No significant adverse effects occurred at 500 mg/kg/bwt (highest dose tested).

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Mortality / viability:

no mortality observed

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Sexual maturation:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

no effects observed

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Histopathological findings:

no effects observed

There were no remarkable observations in F1 animals.

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

> 500 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No adverse effects occurred in animals in the top dose group, therefore a NOAEL cannot be identified from this study.

Remarks on result:

not determinable

Remarks:

no NOAEL identified

Key result

Reproductive effects observed:

no

Conclusions:

Adverse effects did not occur in parental animals or offspring at doses up to 500 mg/kg bw/day, therefore NOAELs cannot be identified from this study.

Executive summary:

In a 1-generation reproduction study, benzenesulfonic acid, C14-C24 branched and linear alkyl derivatives was administered to 28 Sprague-Dawley rats/sex/via gavage at dose levels of 0, 50, 167 and 500 mg/kg bw/day.

 

No substance related effects occurred in treated animals. As no effects occurred at the highest dose, a NOAEL cannot be identified, and is greater than 500 mg/kg bw/day for reproductive and developmental toxicity.

  

This study is acceptable, and satisfies the guideline requirement for a 1-generation reproductive study; OECD 415 in rats. 

Effect on fertility: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

500 mg/kg bw/day

Study duration:

subchronic

Species:

rat

Quality of whole database:

The study meets the criteria for Klimisch code 1, as it is conducted to OECD guidelines and to GLP. However as this study is used in the context of a read across, Klimisch 2 is assigned.

Effect on fertility: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on fertility: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effects on developmental toxicity

Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on developmental toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Effect on developmental toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Justification for classification or non-classification

A Reproductive/Developmental rat toxicity study on a read across substance (a calcium sulfonate read across substance) of sufficient quality and tested in accordance with standard methodology showed no substance related adverse effects. As no effects occurred at the 500 mg/kg bw/day (highest dose tested), a NOAEL cannot be identified for reproductive and developmental toxicity. This study is acceptable, and satisfies the guideline (OECD 415) requirement for a 1-generation reproductive rat study. Therefore, based on the weight of evidence from the available data, no classification is required for reproductive/developmental toxicity.