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Diss Factsheets

Toxicological information

Toxicity to reproduction

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
screening for reproductive / developmental toxicity
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
06-APRIL-2021 to 28-DEC-2021
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
study report
Title:
Unnamed
Year:
2022
Report date:
2022

Materials and methods

Test guidelineopen allclose all
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)
Version / remarks:
July 2016
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
Deviations did not impact the overall integrity of the study or the interpretation of the study results and conclusions.
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: EPA Health Effects Test Guideline OPPTS 870.3650: Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test.
Version / remarks:
July 2000
Deviations:
yes
Remarks:
Deviations did not impact the overall integrity of the study or the interpretation of the study results and conclusions.
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Limit test:
yes

Test material

Constituent 1
Reference substance name:
Petroleum gas oil fraction, co-processed with renewable hydrocarbons of plant and/or animal origin
EC Number:
941-364-9
Molecular formula:
Not applicable to UVCB substance
IUPAC Name:
Petroleum gas oil fraction, co-processed with renewable hydrocarbons of plant and/or animal origin
Test material form:
other: Low visocosity, liquid hydrocarbon
Details on test material:
Batch number: 204377961
Physical description: Colourless or pale yellow coloured liquid
Purity: 100% UVCB
Expiry date: 20 August 2022 if kept under storge conditions
Source and site of characterisation: Repsol Refinery, Carretera de la Calzada s/n, Apartado de Correos 12, 13500 Puertollano, Ciudad Real, Spain
Storage conditions: Store under controlled humidity conditions and temperature (18-25 °C) in a sealed container, protecting the product from sunlight (opaque container or in a cabinet)
Specific details on test material used for the study:
SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Source (i.e. manufacturer or supplier) and lot/batch number of test material: Co-processed Refinery Products REACH Consortium; Batch (lot) No. 204377961
- Purity, including information on contaminants, isomers, etc.: Information about the purity and composition of the test item is not available since the test item is an UVCB (Substance of Unknown or Variable composition, Complex Reaction Products or Biological Materials): 100% w/w

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: At room temperature

- Stability and homogeneity of the test material in the vehicle/solvent under test conditions (e.g. in the exposure medium) and during storage: Stability analyses performed previously in conjunction with the method development and validation study (Test Facility Study No. 20276345) demonstrated that the test item is stable in the vehicle when prepared and stored under the same conditions at concentrations bracketing those used in the present study.

- Solubility and stability of the test material in the solvent/vehicle and the exposure medium: Stability in corn oil for at least 24 hours at room temperature under normal laboratory light conditions and for at least 8 days in the refrigerator is confirmed over the concentration range 2 to 800 mg/mL (solutions).

FORM AS APPLIED IN THE TEST (if different from that of starting material): Colorless to pale yellow liquid

OTHER:
- Specific gravity / density: 0.8319

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Wistar
Remarks:
Crl: WI(Han)
Details on species / strain selection:
The Wistar Han rat was chosen as the animal model for this study as it is an accepted rodent species for toxicity testing by regulatory agencies. Charles River Den Bosch has general and reproduction/developmental historical data in this species from the same strain and source. This animal model has been proven to be susceptible to the effects of reproductive toxicants.
Sex:
male/female
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories Deutschland (Sulzfeld, Germany)
- Females (if applicable) nulliparous and non-pregnant: yes
- Age at study initiation: (P) males: 6-7 weeks old, females: 6-7 weeks old
- Weight at study initiation: (P) males: 161 - 216 g at onset of treatment, females: 121 - 170 g at onset of treatment
- Fasting period before study: Not specified
- Housing:
On arrival and during the pretest (females only) and pre-mating period: Group housed (up to 5 animals of the same sex and same dosing group together) in polycarbonate cages (Makrolon, MIV type, height 18 cm).

Mating phase: males and females cohabitated on a 1:1 basis in Makrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm).

Post-mating phase: Males: home cage (Makrolon plastic cages, MIV type, height 18 cm) with a maximum of 5 males/cage; Females: individually housed in Makrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm).

Lactation phase: Females: Makrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm). Pups were housed with the dam, except during locomotor activity monitoring of the dams.

Locomotor activity monitoring: F0-animals were housed individually in a Hi-temp polycarbonate cage (Ancare corp., USA; dimensions: 48.3 x 26.7 x 20.3 cm) without cage-enrichment, bedding material, food and water

- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Pelleted SM R/M-Z (SSNIFFF® Spezialdiäten GmbH (Soest, Germany)) ad libitum except during designated procedures. During motor activity measurements, animals did not have access to food for a maximum of 2 hours.

- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Municipal tap water (in water bottles) ad libitum. During motor activity measurements, animals did not have access to water for a maximum of 2 hours.
- Acclimation period: 9 days prior to start of the pretreatment period

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 19 to 21°C (target: 18 to 24°C)
- Humidity (%): 44 to 76% (target: 40-70%)
- Air changes (per hr): 10 or more air exchanges/hour
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12 hrs dark / 12 hrs light

IN-LIFE DATES: From: 07-APRIL-2021 To: 19-AUG-2021

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
corn oil
Remarks:
Sigma-Aldrich (Steinheim, Germany)
Details on exposure:
PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:
Test material dosing formulations (w/w) were homogenized to visually acceptable levels at appropriate concentrations to meet dose level requirements. The dosing formulations were prepared weekly, filled out in daily portions and stored in the refrigerator. The dosing formulations were removed from the refrigerator and stirred at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before dosing and dosed within 24 hours after removal from the refrigerator.

Test material dosing formulations were kept at room temperature until dosing. If practically possible, the dosing formulations and vehicle were continuously stirred until and during dosing. Adjustment was made for specific gravity of the vehicle and test item. No correction was made for the purity/compos
ition of the test material.

VEHICLE
- Justification for use and choice of vehicle (if other than water): Corn oil (Sigma-Aldrich, Steinheim, Germany); selected based on trial preparations performed to select a suitable vehicle and to establish a suitable formulation procedure.
- Concentration in vehicle: 0, 25, 75, or 250 mg/mL for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day dose groups, respectively
- Amount of vehicle (if gavage): 4 mL/kg
- Lot/batch no. (if required): Not specified
- Purity: Not specified
Details on mating procedure:
- M/F ratio per cage: 1:1
- Length of cohabitation: maximum 14 days
- Proof of pregnancy: Detection of mating was confirmed by evidence of sperm in the vaginal lavage or by the appearance of an intravaginal copulatory plug. This day was designated Day 0 post-coitum.
- Further matings after two unsuccessful attempts: not specified; Vaginal lavage was continued for those females with no evidence of copulation until termination of the mating period.
- After successful mating each pregnant female was caged (how): Individually
- Any other deviations from standard protocol: No
Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
yes
Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
Concentration:
Dose formulation samples for all groups were collected for concentration analysis during Weeks 1, 6, and 12 (2x ~500 mg) and samples were transferred (at room temperature under normal laboratory light conditions) to the analytical laboratory at the Test Facility. Analyses were performed using a validated analytical procedure (Test Facility Study No. 20276345) where the temperature was set to maintain 18-22°C. Acceptance criteria for mean sample concentration results were set as within or equal to ± 10% of theoretical concentration.

Homogeneity:
Dose formulation samples for Groups 2, 3, and 4 were collected for homogeneity analysis during Weeks 1, 6, and 12 (2x ~500 mg) and samples were transferred (at room temperature under normal laboratory light conditions) to the analytical laboratory at the Test Facility. Analyses were performed using a validated analytical procedure (Test Facility Study No. 20276345) where the temperature was set to maintain 18-22°C. Acceptance criteria for homogeneity results was a coefficient of variation (CV) of concentrations of ≤ 10% for each group.

Stability Analysis:
Stability analyses was not performed in the current study but previously in conjunction with the method development and validation study (Test Facility Study No. 20276345). This demonstrated that the test material was stable in the vehicle when prepared and stored under the same conditions at concentrations bracketing those used in the present study.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
Males: 7 days a week for a minimum of 90 days, including at least 10 weeks of treatment prior to mating and during the mating period up to and including the day before scheduled necropsy.

Females: 7 days a week for at least 10 weeks prior to mating, the variable time to conception, the duration of pregnancy and at least 13 days after delivery, up to and including the day before scheduled necropsy.
Frequency of treatment:
Once daily
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Dose / conc.:
0 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
Group 1 (Control - corn oil)
Dose / conc.:
100 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
Group 2 (Low dose)
Dose / conc.:
300 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
Group 3 (Intermediate dose)
Dose / conc.:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Remarks:
Group 4 (High dose)
No. of animals per sex per dose:
10/sex/dose
Control animals:
yes, concurrent vehicle
Details on study design:
- Dose selection rationale:
The dose levels were selected based on the results of a 14 Day Dose Range Finder (DRF) with oral administration of Petroleum gas oil fraction, co-processed with renewable hydrocarbons of plant and/or animal origin (EC 941-364-9) in rats (Test Facility Reference No. 20276348), and in an attempt to produce graded responses to the test material.

- Rationale for animal assignment (if not random): Animals were randomly assigned to groups at arrival. Males and females were randomized separately.

- Fasting period before blood sampling for clinical biochemistry: F0-males were fasted overnight with a maximum of 24 hours before blood sampling but water was available. F0-females were not fasted overnight.

Examinations

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:
CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Throughout the study, animals were observed for general health/mortality and moribundity twice daily, in the morning and at the end of the working day.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Once daily, beginning during the first administration of the test item and lasting throughout the Dosing Periods up to the day prior to necropsy. During the Dosing Period, observations were performed after dosing at no specific time point, but within a similar time period after dosing for the respective animals.
- Arena Observations: Once before the first administration of the test item and weekly during the Treatment Period.

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule: On Day 1 of treatment (prior to dosing) and weekly thereafter.
Mated females: on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, and 20 post coitum and during lactation on PND 1, 4, 7, and 13. A terminal weight was recorded on the day of scheduled necropsy.

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if feeding study): Yes
- Time schedule: Quantitatively measured per cage weekly, except for males and females which are housed together for mating and for females without evidence of mating; Mated females: on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, and 20 post-coitum and during lactation on PND 1, 4, 7, and 13.

WATER CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if drinking water study): Yes
- Time schedule: Regular basis throughout the study (Monitored by visual inspection of the water bottles. No quantitative investigation was conducted as no effect was suspected).

OTHER:

OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: Yes
- Time schedule and frequncy:
Pretreatment Period: Once for all main study animals once (including spare animals).
Dosing Period: During Week 13 for all Group 1 and 4 animals.

The eyes were examined using an ophthalmoscope after application of a mydriatic agent (Tropicol, tropicamide 5 mg/mL solution). Since treatment-related effects were not observed in Group 1 and 4 ani mals, the ophthalmic examinations were not performed for the other animals.

HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: On the day of scheduled necropsy
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: F0-males: Yes (overnight with a maximum of 24 hours); F0-females: No
- How many animals: First five F0-males per group and of all F0-females (except for Female No. 61 (300 mg/kg/day), which was found dead)
- Parameters checked in table [No. 2] were examined.

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: On the day of scheduled necropsy
- Animals fasted: F0-males: Yes (overnight with a maximum of 24 hours); F0-females: No
- How many animals: First five F0-males per group and of all F0-females (except for Female No. 61 (300 mg/kg/day), which was found dead)
- Parameters checked in table [No. 3] were examined.

SERUM HORMONES: Yes
- Time of blood sample collection: On the day of scheduled necropsy
- Animals fasted: F0-males: Yes (overnight with a maximum of 24 hours); F0-females: No
- How many animals: All animals
- Parameters checked in table [No. 4] were examined.

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Males: during Week 13 of treatment; Females: during the last week of lactation (i.e. PND 6-13)
- Dose groups that were examined: all dose groups
- Battery of functions tested: Hearing ability ; Pupillary reflex; Static righting reflex; Fore- and hind-limb grip strength; Locomotor activity

URINALYSIS: No

IMMUNOLOGY: No

GENERAL REPRODUCTION DATA:
From the mating period onwards, for each female, male number paired with, mating date, confirmation of pregnancy and delivery day were recorded. Females were allowed to litter with Postnatal Day (PND) 1 defined as the day when a litter was found completed (i.e. membranes and placentas cleaned up, nest built and/or feeding of pups started). The day prior to PND 1 was considered to be the day when the female started to deliver and was defined as PND 0 and used for recording of delivery. Females that were littering were left undisturbed.

Cage debris of pregnant females was examined for evidence of premature delivery and pregnant females were examined to detect signs of difficult or prolonged parturition or deficiencies in maternal care.
Oestrous cyclicity (parental animals):
Estrous cycles were evaluated by examining the vaginal cytology obtained by vaginal lavage. Daily vaginal lavage was performed for all females beginning 14 days prior to treatment (pretest period), the first 14 days of treatment, and during mating until evidence of copulation was observed. Vaginal lavage was continued for those females with no evidence of copulation until termination of the mating period. On the day of necropsy, a vaginal lavage was also taken to determine the stage of estrous. This was done for all females, except the ones that died spontaneously.
Sperm parameters (parental animals):
For the testes of all male rats in Groups 1 (0 mg/kg/day) and 4 (1000 mg/kg/day), and all males that failed to sire, a detailed qualitative examination was made, taking into account the tubular stages of the spermatogenic cycle.
Litter observations:
STANDARDISATION OF LITTERS
- Performed on day 4 postpartum: Yes
- If yes, maximum of 8 pups/litter (4/sex/litter as nearly as possible); excess pups were killed and discarded.

To reduce variability among the litters, on PND 4 eight pups from each litter of equal sex distribution
(if possible) were selected. Blood samples were collected from two of the surplus pups (if possible from one male and one female pup). Selective elimination of pups, e.g. based upon body weight or AGD, was not done. Whenever the number of male or female pups prevented having four of each sex per litter, partial adjustment (for example, five males and three females) was acceptable.

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, anogenital distance (AGD), pup weight on the day of AGD, presence of nipples/areolae in male pups; Blood serum was analysed for total Triiodothyronine (T3) , Thyroxine (T4), and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

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

ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROTOXICITY: No

ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL IMMUNOTOXICITY: No
Postmortem examinations (parental animals):
SACRIFICE
- Male animals: All surviving animals; after a minimum of 28 days of test material administration
- Maternal animals: All surviving animals; PND 14-16, or after total litter loss, or failure to deliver

GROSS NECROPSY: Yes (see Table 5).
- Gross necropsy consisted of external and internal examinations including the cervical, thoracic, and abdominal viscera.

All animals were subjected to a full post mortem examination, with special attention being paid to the reproductive organs. The numbers of former implantation sites were recorded for all paired females. In case no macroscopically visible implantation sites were present, non-gravid uteri were stained using the Salewski technique in order to detect any former implantation sites and the number of corpora lutea was recorded in addition.

Unscheduled Deaths/Euthanasia:
A necropsy was conducted for animals that died on study, and specified tissues were saved

Scheduled Euthanasia:
Animals surviving until scheduled euthanasia were weighed, and deeply anesthetized using isoflurane and subsequently exsanguinated and subjected to a full post mortem examination. Scheduled necropsies were conducted as follows:
- Males (which sired or failed to sire): Following completion of the mating period (a minimum of 13 weeks of administration)
- Females which delivered: PND 14-16
- Females which failed to deliver (Female Nos. 43 and 53): With evidence of mating: Post-coitum Day 27

All F0 males surviving to scheduled necropsy were fasted overnight (water was available) - maximum of 24 hours before necropsy while F0 females were not fasted.

ORGAN WEIGHTS:

The organs identified in table 5 were weighed at necropsy for all scheduled euthanasia animals. Organ weights were not recorded for animals found dead. Paired organs were weighed together. In the event of gross abnormalities, in addition to the combined weight, the weight of the aberrant organ was taken and recorded in the raw data. Organ to body weight ratios (using the terminal body weight) were calculated.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes (see Table 6)

Representative samples of the tissues identified in the table 6 were collected from all animals and preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin (neutral phosphate buffered 4% formaldehyde solution, Klinipath, Duiven, The Netherlands).

The following tissues were embedded in paraffin, sectioned, mounted on glass slides, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin:
- All Group 1 and 4 animals and unscheduled deaths (found dead): Tissues identified in Text Table 6 (except animal identification, nasopharynx, clitoral gland, harderian gland, lacrimal gland, preputial gland, salivary gland (parotid), larynx, and tongue).

- Males that failed to sire and females that failed to deliver pups (Group 2 and 3): Gross lesions/masses, cervix, epididymis, coagulation gland, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, ovaries, testes, uterus and vagina.

- Remaining animals of Group 2 and 3: Gross lesions/masses, thyroid gland, liver (both sexes), pituitary gland, lungs, kidneys (males), adrenal gland and vagina (females).

Alpha 2μ-globulin staining:
Paraffin blocks of all male kidneys were analyzed using HRP-polymer based chromogenic immunostaining of alpha-2u-globulin.

Microscopic Evaluation:
For the testes of all males of Groups 1 and 4, and all males that failed to sire, a detailed qualitative examination was made, taking into account the tubular stages of the spermatogenic cycle.
Postmortem examinations (offspring):
SACRIFICE
Pups, younger than 7 days were euthanized by decapitation.
All remaining pups (PND 14-16), except for the two pups per litter selected for blood collection, were euthanized by an intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbital. The pups selected for blood collection on PND 14-16 were anesthetized using isoflurane followed by exsanguination.

Unscheduled Deaths – F1-Generation
Pups that died or were euthanized before scheduled termination were examined externally and sexed (both externally and internally). Pups found dead during the weekend were fixed in identified containers containing 70% ethanol as they were not necropsied on the same day. The stomach of pups not surviving to the scheduled necropsy date was examined for the presence of milk, if possible. If possible, defects or cause of death were evaluated.

Scheduled Euthanasia – F1-Generation
On PND 4, the surplus pups were euthanized by decapitation. Sex was determined both externally and internally. Descriptions of all external abnormalities were recorded. From two surplus pups per litter, blood was collected, if possible. All remaining pups were euthanized on PND 14-16. Sex was determined both externally and internally. Descriptions of all external abnormalities were recorded. Particular attention was paid to the external reproductive genitals to examine signs of altered development. Additionally, blood was collected from two pups per litter, and the thyroid from two pups per litter (if possible one male and one female pup) was preserved in 10% buffered formalin. If possible, the pups selected for blood sampling were the same pups as selected for thyroid preservation.

HISTOPATHOLOGY / ORGAN WEIGTHS
Not evaluated
Statistics:
Please see 'Any other information on materials and methods incl. tables' for information on statistics.
Reproductive indices:
Reproductive indices
1. Mating index (%): (Number of females mated / Number of females paired) x 100
2. Fertility index (%): (Number of pregnant females / Number of females mated) x 100
Offspring viability indices:
1. Gestation index (%): (Number of females with living pups on Day 1 / Number of pregnant females) x 100
2. Post-implantation survival index (%): (Total number of offspring born / Total number of uterine implantation sites) x 100
3. Live birth index (%): (Number of live offspring on Day 1 after littering / Total number of offspring born) x 100
4. Percentage live males at First Litter Check (%): (Number of live male pups at First Litter Check /Number of live pups at First Litter Check) x 100
5. Percentage live females at First Litter Check (%): (Number of live female pups at First Litter Check /Number of live pups at First Litter Check) x100
6. Viability index 1 (%): (Number of live offspring on Day 4 before culling / Number live offspring on Day 1 after littering) x 100
7. Viability index 2 (%): (Number of live offspring on Day 7 after littering / Number live offspring on Day 4 (after culling)) x 100
8. Viability index 3 (%): (Number of live offspring on Day 13 after littering / Number live offspring on Day 7 after littering) x 100
9. Lactation index (%): (Number of live offspring on Day 13 after littering / Number live offspring on Day 4 (after culling)) x 100
10. Cumulative survival index: ((Number of live offspring on Day 13 / Number of live offspring on Day 4 (after culling)) x (Number of live offspring on Day 4 (before culling) / Total number of offspring born)) x 100

Results and discussion

Results: P0 (first parental generation)

General toxicity (P0)

Clinical signs:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
There were no clinical signs of toxicity observed during the daily clinical or weekly arena observations. Slight salivation (dose-related) was observed post-dosing in treated animals through most of the treatment period. Taking into account the nature and minor severity of the effect and its time of occurrence (i.e., after dosing), this was considered to be a physiological response rather than a sign of treatment-related systemic toxicity.

Any other clinical signs observed during the treatment period occurred within the range of background findings and the incidence observed, were considered unrelated to treatment.
Dermal irritation (if dermal study):
not examined
Mortality:
mortality observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence):
One female rat (No. 61) in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group was found dead on Day 23 post coitum (before scheduled necropsy). The cause of death could not be determined during histopathologic evaluation of the tissues and twelve intact, normally developed fetuses in the uterus (six left, six right) were observed. Red contents were noted in the stomach, which may indicate cannibalization of one or more pups. Based on the time of death and on the observed macroscopic findings, this death was considered most-likely related to labor difficulties. Additionally, given the single occurrence and in the absence of a dose-response relationship, this death was not considered to be treatment-related.
Body weight and weight changes:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
No treatment-related changes were in body weights or body weight gain were observed through the study period.

In the absence of a dose-related trend, increases in body weights and body weight gain observed in female rats were considered unrelated to treatment.
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
No treatment-related changes in food consumption before or after correction for body weight were recorded.

In the absence of a dose-related trend, the observed increases in absolute food consumption in female rats were considered unrelated to treatment. Additionally, food consumption values after correcting for body weight were found to be within the control range.
Food efficiency:
not specified
Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):
not examined
Description (incidence and severity):
No quantitative investigation was conducted as no effect was suspected.
Ophthalmological findings:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
No treatment-related ophthalmology findings were observed through the study period. The nature and incidence of ophthalmology findings observed during the Pre-treatment Period and in Week 13 were similar among the treated and control groups; occurred within the normal range for rats of this age and strain; and were therefore not considered to be treatment-related.
Haematological findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Hematological parameters were unaffected by treatment up to 300 mg/kg/day in male rats and up to 100 mg/kg/day in female rats. Increased white blood cell and lymphocyte counts were observed in male rats at 1000 mg/kg/day and decreased eosinophil counts were observed in female rats at 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day. Additionally, decreased red blood cell counts, along with decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, were observed in both sexes at 1000 mg/kg/day. Mean corpuscular volume was increased in males at 1000 mg/kg/day. The changes observed were small and occurred in the absence of correlating morphological findings and were therefore considered to be non-adverse. The findings are presented in Tables 11 and 12. Coagulation parameters in male and female rats were unaffected by treatment up to 1000 mg/kg/day.
Clinical biochemistry findings:
effects observed, treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Clinical chemistry effects observed included increased total bilirubin levels in both sexes at 1000 mg/kg/day and decreased bile acids in male rats at all dose levels. Additionally, potassium and inorganic phosphate levels were increased in male rats at 1000 mg/kg/day only. However, the changes observed were small and occurred in the absence of correlating morphological findings and were therefore considered to be non-adverse. Increased urea and creatinine levels in males at 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day correlated to morphologic changes in the kidneys of these males (nephropathy) and were considered adverse. The findings are presented in Tables 13, 14, and 15.
Endocrine findings:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Serum levels of total thyroxine (T4) in female rats were unaffected by treatment. Serum T4 levels were increased in males at 100 and 300 mg/kg/day (1.30 and 1.20x to control, respectively, not reaching statistical significance at 300 mg/kg/day). Mean values remained within historical control range .

Serum levels of total triiodothyronine (T3) were decreased in male rats from 300 mg/kg/day onwards and in female rats at all dose levels. Total T3 levels in males were 0.75 and 0.76x of control at 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day, respectively, and in females 0.73, 0.83, and 0.72x of control, respectively (not statistically significant at 300 mg/kg/day). Mean values remained within the historical control range for both sexes.

Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in both sexes were considered unaffected by treatment.

The findings are presented in Tables 14 and 15.
Urinalysis findings:
not examined
Behaviour (functional findings):
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex and grip strength were unaffected by treatment.

Motor activity was considered unaffected by treatment in male rats up to 300 mg/kg/day and in females at all dose levels. At 1000 mg/kg/day, the number of total movements in male rats was decreased (0.72x of control). All groups showed a similar motor activity habituation profile with a decreasing trend in activity over the duration of the test period. In the absence of a dose-response trend, any changes in functional observations were considered unrelated to treatment or considered to derive from a relatively high mean control value (fore grip strength in males at 1000 mg/kg/day). The findings are presented in Tables 16 and 17.
Immunological findings:
not examined
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
effects observed, treatment-related
Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:
effects observed, treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Treatment-related findings at histopathology were observed in the liver and thyroid gland of male and female rats; in the pituitary gland and kidney of male rats; and in the adrenal gland and vagina of female rats.

- Thyroid gland (males and females):
An increased incidence and/or severity of diffuse follicular cell hypertrophy (up to slight degree) and/ or colloid alteration (up to slight degree) was observed in male and female rats starting at 100 mg/kg/day. The colloid alteration was characterized by basophilic granular or clumped deposits in the colloid-filled follicles of the thyroid gland. The low incidence of minimal follicular cell hypertrophy recorded in the males and females of the control group was within background for rats of this age and strain.

- Liver (males and females):
Centrilobular hepatocellular hypertrophy at minimal degree was observed in 3/10 males and females at 1000 mg/kg/day. In females at 1000 mg/kg/day, an increased incidence of cytoplasmic rarefaction at minimal degree was recorded (9/10 females).

- Pituitary gland (males only):
Minimal multifocal hypertrophy of adenohypophyseal cells was recorded in 3/10 males at 1000 mg/kg/day. This alteration was characterized by prominent, large, pale cells (multifocal) in the adenohypophysis.

- Kidney (males only):
A combination of microscopic findings was observed in the kidney of male rats at 300 and 1000 mg/kg/day as indicated below:

a) Hyaline droplet accumulation was recorded in all male rats at 300 mg/kg/day (minimal-moderate) and at 1000 mg/kg/day (slight-marked). The minimal or slight degree recorded in males of the control group and at 100 mg/kg/day were considered to be within background.

b) Granular casts (in the tubules of the medullary area) were observed in most male rats at 300 mg/kg/day (minimal) and in all male rats at 1000 mg/kg/day (minimal-marked).

c) Tubular basophilia was recorded at an increased incidence and severity and seen as a bilateral finding in the treatment groups. At 300 mg/kg/day it was observed at a minimal-slight degree and at 1000 mg/kg/day at slight to marked degree. Tubular basophilia at moderate of marked degree was recorded as bilateral change and characterized by large and multifocal areas of the cortex with basophilic tubular epithelium. The basophilia represented degeneration and regeneration of tubular epithelium. Tubular basophilia at low degrees was characterized by single or a few solitary tubules with basophilic tubular epithelium. The minimal degree (unilateral or bilateral) recorded in males of the control group and at 100 mg/kg/day was considered to be within background.

d) Inflammatory cell infiltrate, lymphocytic was recorded at an increased incidence and severity in all male rats at 1000 mg/kg/day (minimal or slight). The minimal inflammatory cell infiltrates recorded in the remaining dose groups including controls were regarded to be within the background pathology for male rats of this age and strain.

e) Immunohistochemistry for alpha 2μ-globulin of the male kidney showed hyaline droplets as well as the granular casts that stained positive for alpha 2μ-globulin.

- Adrenal gland (females only):
Cortical hypertrophy, zona fasciculata at minimal degree was observed in 2/10 females at 300 mg/kg/day and in 6/10 females at 1000 mg/kg/day.

- Vagina (females only):
Increased mucification of the vaginal epithelium was recorded in 3/10 females at 1000 mg/kg/day. The marked severity of increased vacuolation in one female rat at 300 mg/kg/day (Animal No. 61, found dead on Day 23 post coitum) was considered to be within normal limits for females at the end of the pregnancy period.

- Lung (males only):
A few male rats at 1000 mg/kg/day showed focal to multifocal areas with bronchiolo-alveolar inflammation, mainly confined to one lobe. These findings likely resulted from unintended aspiration of the test material formulation, were considered to be local findings and not regarded to represent a systemic treatment-related effect.

A summary of the findings are presented in Tables 22 23, and 24.
Histopathological findings: neoplastic:
not examined
Other effects:
not examined

Reproductive function / performance (P0)

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Length and regularity of the estrous cycle were unaffected by treatment. Most females had regular cycles of 4 to 5 days. One control female (No. 42) was acyclic but delivered a normal litter. Given that this concerned a control female, the finding was unrelated to treatment.
Reproductive function: sperm measures:
no effects observed
Description (incidence and severity):
Stage dependent qualitative evaluation of spermatogenesis revealed normal progression of the spermatogenic cycle and the expected cell associations and proportions in the various stages of spermatogenesis were present.
Reproductive performance:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
1/10 couples of the control group (Male No. 3 and Female No. 43) and 1/10 couples in 100 mg/kg/day group (Male No. 13 and Female No. 53) were without offspring. For Female No. 53 the infertility was likely due to an imperforate vagina as evidenced by marked dilation with mucinous contents of the cervix. While this could be seen as a developmental abnormality, the single observation in one female at 300 mg/kg/day was regarded unrelated to treatment. No abnormalities were observed in the reproductive organs of the control couple, which could account for their lack of offspring. Data are summarized in Table 25.

Additionally, One female rat in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group (No. 61) was found dead on Day 23 post-coitum with pups in normal stage of development in the uterus and Male No. 21 was therefore regarded to be fertile. This death was regarded to be related to delivery difficulties.

There were no morphological findings in the reproductive organs of either sex which could be considered treatment-related.

Details on results (P0)

Mating Index:
Mating index was unaffected by treatment with all females showed evidence of mating.

Precoital time:
Precoital time was considered unaffected by treatment. All females showed evidence of mating within 4 days, with the exception of one female at 1000 mg/kg/day, which showed evidence of mating after 14 days. This was considered to be a background finding commonly observed in rats of this age and strain and not related to treatment.

Number of Implantation Sites:
Number of implantation sites was not affected by treatment. The mean number of implantation sites were 11.1, 13.0, 12.8, and 12.4 for the 0, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day dose groups, respectively.

Fertility Index:
Fertility index was not affected by treatment. The fertility indices were 90, 90, 100, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.One female in the 100 mg/kg/day group was not pregnant. The infertility was likely due to an imperforated vagina as evidenced by marked dilation with mucinous contents of the cervix. While this could be seen as a developmental abnormality, the single instance in one female at 300 mg/kg/day was regarded unrelated treatment.

Parturition/ Maternal Care:
No signs of difficult or prolonged parturition were observed among the pregnant females, except for one female (No. 61) in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group. Examination of cage debris of pregnant females revealed no signs of abortion or premature birth and no deficiencies in maternal care were observed.

No signs of treatment-related reproductive toxicity were observed up to the highest dose level tested (1000 mg/kg/day).

Effect levels (P0)

open allclose all
Key result
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
>= 1 000 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
test mat.
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: Systemic Toxicity
Key result
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
>= 1 000 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
test mat.
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
other: Reproductive Toxicity

Target system / organ toxicity (P0)

Key result
Critical effects observed:
no

Results: F1 generation

General toxicity (F1)

Clinical signs:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the pups that were considered to be treatment-related.
Dermal irritation (if dermal study):
not examined
Mortality / viability:
mortality observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Viability Index:

Viability index 1 (number of live offspring on PND 4 (before culling) as percentage of number of live offspring on PND 1) was unaffected by treatment with indices being 99, 99, 99, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

Viability index 2 (number of live offspring on PND 7 after littering as percentage of number of live offspring on PND 4 (after culling)) was unaffected by treatment with indices being 100, 99, 100, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

Viability index 3 (number of live offspring on PND 13 after littering as percentage of number of live offspring on PND 7) was unaffected by treatment with indices being 100% for all treatment groups.

One pup of the control, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day groups was found missing on PND 2 or 4 or was killed in extremis on PND 4 due to a wound on its back. No clinical signs were observed prior to the pups being noted as missing. These pups were most likely cannibalized. No toxicological relevance was attributed to these dead/missing pups since the mortality incidence did not show a dose-related trend and remained within the range considered normal for pups of this age.

Lactation Index:

The number of live offspring on Day 13 after littering compared to the number of live offspring on Day 4 (after culling) was not affected by treatment. The lactation indices were 100, 99, 100, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

One pup of the 100 mg/kg/day group was found missing on PND 7. Pups missing were most likely cannibalized and no toxicological relevance was attributed to this since the mortality incidence did not show a dose-related trend and remained within the range considered normal for pups of this age.

Cumulative Survival Index:

The cumulative survival index ((number of live offspring on Day 13 after litter/number of live offspring on Day 4 (after culling)) × (number of live offspring on Day 4 before culling / total number of offspring born)) × 100% was considered unaffected by treatment. The indices were 97, 97, 97, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.
Body weight and weight changes:
effects observed, treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Body weights of pups were unaffected by treatment with the test material up to 300 mg/kg/day. However, at 1000 mg/kg/day, male, female, and combined pup body weights were lower compared to concurrent control values from PND 4 onwards (not statistically significant on PND 4 and 7). Mean body weights on PND 13 of male and female pups were 13 and 14% lower than controls, respectively.
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
not examined
Food efficiency:
not examined
Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):
not examined
Ophthalmological findings:
not examined
Haematological findings:
not examined
Clinical biochemistry findings:
no effects observed
Description (incidence and severity):
Serum T3, T4, and TSH levels in male and female PND 14-16 pups were considered unaffected by treatment.
Urinalysis findings:
not examined
Sexual maturation:
not examined
Anogenital distance (AGD):
no effects observed
Description (incidence and severity):
Anogenital distance (absolute and normalized for body weight) in male and female pups was not affected by treatment.
Nipple retention in male pups:
no effects observed
Description (incidence and severity):
Treatment with the test material had no effect on areola/nipple retention. No nipples were observed on PND 13 in any of the examined male pups.
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
not examined
Gross pathological findings:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Gross necropsy did not reveal any remarkable treatment-related findings in pups.
Histopathological findings:
not examined
Other effects:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Sex Ratio:

Sex ratio was not affected by treatment with the test material.

Gestation Index and Duration:

Gestation index (females with living pups on Day 1 compared to the number of pregnant females) and duration of gestation were unaffected by treatment. Except for one female in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group, all pregnant females had live offspring. The gestation indices were 100, 100, 90, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

Post-Implantation Survival Index:

The total number of offspring born compared to the total number of uterine implantations was considered unaffected by treatment with the test material. Post-implantation survival index (total number of offspring born as percentage of total number of uterine implantation sites) was 97, 91, 78, and 92% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

Litter Size:

Litter size was not affected by treatment and live litter sizes were 10.6, 11.8, 10.9, and 11.4 living pups/litter for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

Live Birth Index:

Live birth index (number of live offspring on PND 1 as percentage of total number of offspring born) was not affected by treatment with the test material. The live birth indices were 98, 99, 98, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively.

Two pups in the control and 300 mg/kg/day dose groups, and one pup in the 100 mg/kg/day dose group were found dead at first litter check. Absence of milk in the stomach was observed for the two control pups and the pup at 100 mg/kg/day. The two pups at 300 mg/kg/day were autolytic when found. No toxicological relevance was attributed to these dead pups since the mortality incidence did not show a dose-related trend and remained within the range considered normal for pups of this age.

Developmental neurotoxicity (F1)

Behaviour (functional findings):
not examined

Developmental immunotoxicity (F1)

Developmental immunotoxicity:
not examined

Effect levels (F1)

Key result
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Generation:
F1
Effect level:
ca. 300 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
test mat.
Sex:
male/female
Basis for effect level:
body weight and weight gain
other: Developmental toxicity

Target system / organ toxicity (F1)

Key result
Critical effects observed:
no

Overall reproductive toxicity

Key result
Reproductive effects observed:
no

Any other information on results incl. tables

Accuracy

 

The concentrations analysed in the formulations of Groups 2, 3 and 4 were in agreement with the target concentrations (i.e., mean sample concentration results were within or equal to 90-110% of target concentration) and no test material was detected in the Group 1 formulations.

 

Homogeneity

 

The formulations of Groups 2, 3 and 4 were homogeneous (i.e., coefficient of variation ≤10%).

Table 7. Result of Formulation Analysis

Date of analysis

Concentration [mg/mL]

Recovery [%]

Target

Nominal

Analyzed

Individual

Mean

21 Apr 2021

25

25.2

24.3

96

96

25.2

24.0

95

250

251

251

100

99

253

247

98

26 May 2021

25

24.2

23.8

98

102

23.4

24.7

106

250

250

245

98

97

248

237

96

07 Jul 2021

25

24.9

24.9

100

105

26.5

29.0

110

250

248

273

110

106

245

252

103



Table 8. Body Weights (grams) Result Summary

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Females

Pre-mating

 

Day 1

Week 1

Mean

141

147

144

141

St.dev

11.3

6.4

7.4

11.9

N

10

10

10

10

 

Day 8

Week 2

Mean

160

166

163

163

St.dev

12.8

7.5

8.9

12.4

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

Day 15

Week 3

Mean

174

180

177

181

St.dev

12.1

9.6

14.5

14.4

N

10

10

10

10

 

Day 8

Week 2

Mean

160

166

163

163

St.dev

12.8

7.5

8.9

12.4

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15

Week 3

Mean

174

180

177

181

St.dev

12.1

9.6

14.5

14.4

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 22

Week 4

Mean

189

194

191

196

St.dev

16.0

9.6

13.9

17.4

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 29

Week 5

Mean

198

201

203

204

St.dev

16.1

9.4

13.2

18.2

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 36

Week 6

Mean

203

209

207

211

St.dev

15.1

9.3

12.2

16.6

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 43

Week 7

Mean

210

213

212

215

St.dev

14.2

10.0

14.4

17.8

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 50

Week 8

Mean

213

218

218

217

St.dev

14.8

11.0

13.2

18.3

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 57

Week 9

Mean

216

221

222

216

St.dev

18.1

11.4

11.3

21.0

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 64

Week 10

Mean

219

223

223

219

St.dev

17.3

10.8

11.9

18.2

N

10

10

10

10

Mating Period

Day 1

Week 10

Mean

223

224

227

223

St.dev

15.5

10.6

14.1

17.6

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 8

Week 2

Mean

 

 

 

245

St.dev

 

 

 

--

N

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15

Week 3

Mean

 

 

 

247

St.dev

 

 

 

--

N

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post Coitum

 

 

 

 

 

F0-Generation

Day 0

Mean

221

230

232

226

St.dev

14.3

12.2

13.4

19.4

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 4

Mean

231

239

245

238

St.dev

13.3

14.1

14.6

20.7

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 7

Mean

237

249

253

245

St.dev

15.1

16.1

14.6

19.4

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 11

Mean

250

262

269*

257

St.dev

14.6

17.4

15.7

17.4

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 14

Mean

258

274

278*

265

St.dev

16.5

15.9

18.4

19.3

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 17

Mean

280

299

305*

288

St.dev

17.4

17.8

18.2

19.3

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 20

Mean

315

343*

346*

325

St.dev

19.1

22.9

23.0

22.8

N

9

9

10

10

Lactation

 

Day 1

Mean

249

251

262

252

St.dev

19.9

16.6

15.6

20.7

N

9

9

9

10

 

Day 4

Mean

257

273

275

261

St.dev

18.3

18.1

14.6

18.1

N

9

9

9

10

 

Day 7

Mean

270

280

282

269

St.dev

19.5

18.4

13.9

18.7

N

9

9

9

10

 

Day 13

Mean

278

289

295

280

St.dev

21.0

20.2

14.6

21.2

N

9

9

9

10

*/** Dunnett-test based on pooled variance significant at 5% (*) or 1% (**) level

Table 9. Body Weight Gain (%) Result Summary

 

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Females

Pre-mating

 

Day 1

Week 1

Mean

0

0

0

0

St.dev

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

N

10

10

10

10

 

Day 8

Week 2

Mean

13

13

13

16*

St.dev

2.2

2.5

1.7

2.4

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 15

Week 3

Mean

24

23

23

28*

St.dev

2.5

4.3

4.1

3.5

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 22

Week 4

Mean

34

32

33

39*

St.dev

3.2

2.6

4.8

3.0

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 29

Week 5

Mean

40

37

41

44*

St.dev

3.0

2.7

4.2

3.0

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 36

Week 6

Mean

44

42

44

50**

St.dev

4.1

3.0

3.7

4.5

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 43

Week 7

Mean

49

45

47

52

St.dev

4.8

4.9

3.9

5.2

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 50

Week 8

Mean

51

49

52

54

St.dev

3.9

3.7

4.4

4.7

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 57

Week 9

Mean

53

50

54

53

St.dev

3.7

3.9

3.8

5.3

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 64

Week 10

Mean

55

52

55

55

St.dev

4.1

3.2

4.8

5.4

N

10

10

10

10

Mating Period

Day 1

Week 1

Mean

58

53*

58

58

St.dev

5.4

4.6

4.7

4.3

N

10

10

10

10

 

Day 8

Week 2

Mean

 

 

 

70

St.dev

 

 

 

--

N

 

 

 

1

 

Day 15

Week 3

Mean

 

 

 

72

St.dev

 

 

 

--

N

 

 

 

1

F0-Generation

Post coitum

 

Day 0

Mean

0

0

0

0

St.dev

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

N

9

9

10

10

 

Day 4

Mean

5

4

6

5

St.dev

1.7

1.6

1.8

2.0

N

9

9

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 7

Mean

8

8

9

8

St.dev

1.7

2.7

1.9

2.4

N

9

9

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 11

Mean

13

14

16

14

St.dev

2.3

3.1

2.4

3.8

N

9

9

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 14

Mean

17

19

20

17

St.dev

3.3

3.4

2.1

3.8

N

9

9

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 17

Mean

27

30

31*

28

St.dev

3.9

4.3

2.7

3.6

 

N

9

9

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

Day 20

Mean

43

49*

49*

44

St.dev

6.5

6.5

5.2

3.3

N

9

9

9

10

Lactation

Day 1

 

Mean

0

0

0

0

St.dev

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

N

9

9

9

10

 

Day 4

Mean

4

5

5

4

St.dev

3.4

2.2

2.0

2.6

N

9

9

9

10

 

 

Day 7

Mean

9

7

8

7

St.dev

4.5

2.0

3.9

2.7

N

9

9

9

10

 

Day 13

Mean

12

11

13

11

St.dev

5.2

3.2

4.0

4.8

N

9

9

9

10

 

*/** Dunnett-test based on pooled variance significant at 5% (*) or 1% (**) level

Table 10. Food Consumption (g/animal/day) Result Summary

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Females

Pre-mating

 

Days 1-8

Weeks 1-2

Mean

15

15

15

14

St.dev

0.4

0.4

0.5

1.1

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

Days 8-15

Weeks 2-3

Mean

15

15

16

17

St.dev

0.4

0.6

0.3

1.5

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 15-22

Weeks 3-4

Mean

16

15

16

17

St.dev

0.2

0.6

0.0

1.8

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 22-29

Weeks 4-5

Mean

16

15

16

17

St.dev

0.4

0.3

0.1

1.3

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 29-36

Weeks 5-6

Mean

15

15

15

16

St.dev

0.2

0.7

0.4

0.7

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 36-43

Week 6-7

Mean

15

14

15

15

St.dev

0.1

0.4

0.4

0.7

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 43-50

Weeks 7-8

Mean

14

13

14

14

St.dev

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.7

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 50-57

Weeks 8-9

Mean

13

13

14

14

St.dev

0.7

0.7

0.8

1.1

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 57-64

Weeks 9-10

Mean

13

13

14

14

St.dev

0.5

0.5

0.8

1.2

 

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days 64-71

Weeks 10-11

Mean

14

13

15

14

St.dev

0.2

0.5

1.0

1.5

N(cage)

2

2

2

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mean of Means
Over pre-mating

Mean

14

14

15

15

F0 -Generation

Post Coitum

 

Days 0-4

Mean

14

14

18*

16

St.dev

2.5

3.2

1.7

3.4

N

9

9

10

10

 

Days 4-7

Mean

17

19

19

19

St.dev

1.8

3.0

2.6

2.5

N

9

9

10

10

 

Days 7-11

Mean

15

17

18*

17

St.dev

1.9

2.6

1.7

1.7

N

9

9

10

10

 

Days 11-14

Mean

19

21

21

22

St.dev

3.8

3.0

2.2

3.3

N

9

9

10

10

 

Days 14-17

Mean

19

19

23*

20

St.dev

3.8

4.5

1.4

4.0

N

9

9

10

10

 

Days 17-20

Mean

23

25

26*

24

St.dev

2.0

2.5

2.7

1.7

N

9

9

10

10

Mean of means

 

18

19

21

20

Lactation

 

Days 1-4

Mean

26

29

30

28

St.dev

5.3

4.7

3.6

4.7

N

9

9

9

9

 

Days 4-7

Mean

41

42

40

39

St.dev

6.4

4.9

3.5

3.5

N

9

9

9

10

 

Days 7-13

Mean

49

50

49

46

St.dev

5.2

5.8

4.0

5.4

N

9

9

9

10

Mean of means

 

39

41

40

38

*/** Dunnett-test based on pooled variance significant at 5% (*) or 1% (**) level

Table 11. Select Hematological Results

Dose (mg/kg/day):

Group 3

300 mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000 mg/kg/day

Sex:

Female

Male

Female

Number of animals:

9

4

10

White Blood Cells (WBC)

-

1.17x

-

Lymphocytes (LYMPH)

-

1.16x

-

Eosinophils (EOS)

0.54x*

-

0.41x**

Red blood cells (RBC)

-

0.92x

0.94x

Hemoglobin (HGB)

-

0.95x

0.93x**

Hematocrit (HCT)

-

0.95x

0.92x**

Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)

-

1.04x*

-

- indicates absence of change.

Numerical values indicate fold change of the treated group mean value relative to the control group value.

Mean values were statistically different from control at * P < 0.05, ** P <0.01

Table 12. Summary of Select Hematology Values: F0 Generation

Day: 93 Relative to Start Date (Males)

 

Day: 94 Relative to Start Date (Females)

 

Reporting Hematology

Males

Females

MCV (fL)

[G]

EOS (109/L)

[G1]

HGB (g/L)

[G]

HCT (L/L)

[G1]

Group 1

(Control – 0 mg/kg/day)

Mean

51.94

0.076

141.2

0.4333

SD

1.24

0.024

5.4

0.0149

N

5

9

9

9

 

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Mean

51.74

0.061

136.4

0.4188

SD

0.77

0.029

6.5

0.0253

N

5

9

9

9

tCtrl

1.00

0.81

0.97

0.97

 

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Mean

51.72

0.041*

136.8

0.4170

SD

0.56

0.013

2.7

0.0085

N

5

9

9

9

tCtrl

1.00

0.54

0.97

0.96

 

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Mean

53.78*

0.031**

131.9**

0.4005**

SD

0.74

0.014

6.8

0.0239

N

4

10

10

10

tCtrl

1.04

0.41

0.93

0.92

[G] - Anova & Dunnett: * = p ≤ 0.05; ** = p ≤ 0.01

[G1] - Kruskal-Wallis & Dunn: * = p ≤ 0.05; ** = p ≤ 0.01

Table 13. Select Clinical Chemistry Results

Dose (mg/kg/day):

Group 2

100 mg/kg/day

Group 3

300 mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000 mg/kg/day

Sex:

Male

Female

Male

Female

Male

Female

Number of animals:

10

9

10

9

10

10

Total bilirubin (TBIL)

-

-

-

-

1.12x*

1.17x*

Bile acids (BILEAC)

0.73x

-

0.32x**

-

0.31x**

-

Urea (UREA)

-

-

1.20x**

-

1.28x**

-

Creatinine (CREAT)

-

-

1.14x**

-

1.25x**

-

Potassium (K)

-

-

-

-

1.10x**

-

Inorganic Phosphate (PHOS)

-

-

-

-

1.13x*

-

(-) indicates absence of change.

Numerical values indicate fold change of the treated group mean value relative to the control group value.

Mean values were statistically different from control at * P < 0.05, ** P <0.01.

Table 14. Summary of Select Clinical Chemistry Values: F0 Generation

Day: 93 Relative to Start Date (Males)

Reporting Clinical Chemistry

Males

ALT (U/L)

[G]

AST (U/L)

[G1]

TBIL

(µmol/L)

[G1]

BILEAC
(mmol/L)

[G]

UREA
(mmol/L)

[G1]

CREAT (µmol/mL)

[G1]

GLUC

(mmol/L)

[G1]

K

(mmol/L)

[G]

PHOS

(mmol/L)

[G]

T3

(ng/mL)
[G]

T4
(ng/mL)

[G]

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Mean

39.8

84.2

2.97

54.33

5.21

40.5

8.989

4.82

2.080

0.353

42.50

SD

5.7

9.9

0.22

33.54

0.53

2.0

1.278

0.23

0.256

0.047

7.52

N

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Mean

37.9

102.3*

2.79

39.67

5.55

42.2

7.369*

4.92

2.199

0.326

55.24**

SD

8.3

9.9

0.32

29.24

0.60

2.6

1.089

0.26

0.143

0.050

9.91

N

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

tCtrl

0.95

1.21

0.94

0.73

1.07

1.04

0.82

1.02

1.06

0.92

1.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Mean

30.0*

82.6

2.75

17.13**

6.24**

46.2**

8.755

5.02

2.124

 

0.266**

51.15

SD

3.8

10.7

0.23

6.61

0.83

2.1

0.952

0.26

0.248

0.041

10.65

N

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

tCtrl

0.75

0.98

0.93

0.32

1.20

1.14

0.97

1.04

1.02

0.75

1.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Mean

39.6

100.4*

3.32*

16.92**

6.65**

50.7**

8. 020

5.29**

2.353*

0.267*

40.39

SD

10.2

22.9

0.40

6.68

0.90

3.6

1.423

0.44

0.167

0.096

7.00

N

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

tCtrl

0.99

1.19

1.12

0.31

1.28

1.25

0.89

1.10

1.13

0.76

0.95

[G] - Kruskal-Wallis & Dunn: * = p ≤ 0.05; ** = p ≤ 0.01

[G1] - Anova & Dunnett: * = p ≤ 0.05; ** = p ≤ 0.01

Table 15. Summary of Select Clinical Chemistry Values: F0 Generation

Day: 94 Relative to Start Date (Females)

Reporting Clinical Chemistry

Females

A/G
(ratio)

[G]

LDL

(mmol/L)

[G]

TBIL

(µmol/L)

[G]

T3

(ng/mL)

[G]

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Mean

1.27

0.204

2.72

0.341

SD

0.07

0.035

0.32

0.074

N

9

9

9

9

 

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Mean

1.26

0.158**

2.67

0.248*

SD

0.05

0.034

0.40

0.044

N

9

9

9

9

tCtrl

0.99

0.77

0.98

0.73

 

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Mean

1.28

0.167*

2.81

0.284

SD

0.04

0.022

0.25

0.080

N

9

9

9

9

tCtrl

1.01

0.82

1.03

0.83

 

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Mean

1.35**

0.143**

3.19*

0.247*

SD

0.05

0.032

0.47

0.062

N

10

10

10

10

tCtrl

1.07

0.70

1.17

0.72

[G] - Anova & Dunnett: * = p ≤ 0.05; ** = p ≤ 0.01

Table 16. Functional Observations Summary

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Males

End of Treatment

 

Hearing

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

10

10

10

10

 

Pupil L

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

10

10

10

10

 

Pupil R

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

10

10

10

10

 

Static R

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

10

10

10

10

 

Grip Fore

gram

Mean

1421

1402

1294

1114*

SD

59

105

196

253

N

10

10

10

10

 

Grip Hind

gram

Mean

759

902*

754

737

SD

155

73

96

91

N

10

10

10

10

Females

At Lactation

Hearing

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

9

9

9

10

 

Pupil L

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

9

9

9

10

 

Pupil R

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

9

9

9

10

 

Static R

Score 0/1

Median

0

0

0

0

N

9

9

9

10

 

Grip Fore

gram

Mean

1235

1303

1220

1068

SD

202

121

165

130

N

9

9

9

10

 

Grip Hind

gram

Mean

696

764

662

651

SD

76

108

97

80

N

9

9

9

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

+/++ Steel-test significant at 5% (+) or 1% (++) level

*/** Dunnett-test based on pooled variance significant at 5% (*) or 1% (**) level

Table 17. Motor Activity test summary

Males

Total Movements

Group 1 (Control)

0

mg/kg/day

Group 2
100

mg/kg/day

Group 3
300
mg/kg/day

Group 4
1000
mg/kg/day

Mean

3097

3114

2649

2241**

N

10

10

10

10

St. Dev

740

844

404

465

* indicates a p-value <0.05, ** indicates a p-value <0.01

MEAN and STDEV values are calculated per group, from each animal's total Total Movements over all intervals

Table 18. Summary of Macroscopic Findings

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Males

End of Treatment

 

Animals examined

10

10

10

10

Animals without findings

7

9

6

4

Animals affected

3

1

4

6

 

Liver

 

Reduced in size

0

0

1

0

Discolouration

1

0

0

6

 

 

 

 

 

Kidneys

 

 

 

 

Pelvic dilation

0

1

1

2

Enlarged

0

0

1

2

Soft

0

0

1

0

Discolouration

0

0

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

Epididymides

 

 

 

 

Nodule(s)

1

0

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

Seminal vesicles

 

 

 

 

Reduced in size

1

0

0

0

Thyroid gland

 

 

 

 

Enlarged

0

0

0

1

Agenesis

0

0

0

1

Skin

 

 

 

 

Alopecia

0

0

0

1

Body cavities

 

 

 

 

Nodule(s)

0

0

1

0

 

 

 

 

 

Females

Intercurrent death

 

 

 

 

Animals examined

 

 

1

 

Animals affected

 

 

1

 

 

 

Stomach

 

 

 

 

Contents:

 

 

1

 

Uterus

 

 

 

 

Contents:

 

 

1

 

 

 

End of Treatment

 

Animals examined

10

10

9

10

Animals without findings

9

7

7

3

 

 

 

 

 

Animals affected

1

3

2

7

 

 

 

 

 

Stomach

 

         Discolouration

0

0

1

0

Liver

 

         Enlarged

0

0

1

3

Reduced in size

0

1

0

0

         Discolouration

0

0

0

2

Kidneys

 

Cyst(s)

0

0

0

1

Cervix

 

Enlarged

0

1

0

0

         Contains fluid

0

1

0

0

Clitoral glands

 

Focus/foci

0

1

0

3

Grown together with:

1

0

0

0

Discolouration

0

0

0

1

Agenesis

0

0

0

1

Adrenal glands

 

 

 

 

Enlarged

0

0

0

2

Mandibular Lymph n

 

 

 

 

Discolouration

0

0

0

1

Skin

 

 

 

 

Alopecia

1

0

1

1

# / ## Fisher's Exact test significant at 5% (#) or 1% (##) level

Table 19. Select Organ Weights: Mean Percent Weight Differences from Control Groups

Sex:

Males

Females

Dose (mg/kg/day):

Group 2

100 mg/kg/day

Group 3

300 mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000 mg/kg/day

Group 2

100 mg/kg/day

Group 3

300 mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000 mg/kg/day

Liver

 

      Absolute

1

18*

29**

3

16**

23**

      Relative to body weight

3

14**

35**

-3

8

21**

 

Thyroid Gland

 

      Absolute

3

20

44**

21

27*

18

      Relative to body weight

5

16

50**

13

19

15

 

Kidney

 

      Absolute

4

11

24**

5

9

9*

      Relative to body weight

5

8

29**

0

3

7

 

Adrenal Gland

 

      Absolute

11

15

9

8

26**

24**

      Relative to body weight

17

17

17*

4

21*

21**

*: P<0.05, **: P<0.01

Table 20. Select Organ Weights (grams) Summary

End of Treatment

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Males

Liver

(Gram)

Mean

9.17

9.30

10.79*

11.80**

SD

0.91

1.34

1.13

1.49

N

10

10

10

10

 

Thyroids

(Gram)

Mean

0.0171

0.0176

0.0205

0.0246**

SD

0.0033

0.0017

0.0021

0.0053

N

10

10

10

9

 

Kidneys

(Gram)

Mean

2.51

2.60

2.79

3.12**

SD

0.20

0.19

0.34

0.59

N

10

10

10

10

 

Heart

(Gram)

Mean

1.108

1.011*

1.014

0.998*

SD

0.091

0.065

0.090

0.098

N

10

10

10

10

Females

Liver

(Gram)

Mean

11.83

12.13

13.71**

14.60**

SD

1.06

1.63

0.95

1.43

N

10

10

9

10

 

Thyroid

(Gram)

Mean

0.0146

0.0176

0.0185*

0.0172

SD

0.0032

0.0030

0.0022

0.0036

N

10

10

9

10

 

Adrenals

(Gram)

Mean

0.066

0.071

0.083**

0.082**

SD

0.013

0.008

0.009

0.010

N

10

10

9

10

*/** Dunnett-test based on pooled variance significant at 5% (*) or 1% (**) level

Table 21. Organ/Body Weight Ratios (%) Summary

End of Treatment

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Males

Liver

(%)

Mean

2.37

2.43

2.71**

3.19**

SD

0.14

0.26

0.10

0.16

N

10

10

10

10

 

Thyroids

(%)

Mean

0.0044

0.0046

0.0051

0.00066**

SD

0.0010

0.0005

0.0004

0.0013

N

10

10

10

10

 

Kidneys

(%)

Mean

0.65

0.68

0.70

0.84**

SD

0.05

0.03

0.05

0.11

N

10

10

10

10

 

Heart

(%)

Mean

0.287

0.265*

0.255**

0.272

SD

0.025

0.014

0.012

0.021

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adrenals

(%)

Mean

0.012

0.014

0.014

0.014*

SD

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.002

N

10

10

10

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Females

Liver

(%)

Mean

4.35

4.20

4.71

5.26**

SD

0.42

0.38

0.31

0.34

N

10

10

9

10

 

Adrenals

(%)

Mean

0.024

0.025

0.029*

0.029**

SD

0.005

0.002

0.004

0.002

N

10

10

9

10

*/** Dunnett-test based on pooled variance significant at 5% (*) or 1% (**) level

Table 22. Select Microscopic Findings: Thyroid Gland and Liver (Males and Females)

Sex:

Males

Females

Dose (mg/kg/day):

Group 1

(Control)

0 mg/kg/day

Group 2

100 mg/kg/day

Group 3

300

mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000 mg/kg/day

Group 1

(Control)

0 mg/kg/day

Group 2

100 mg/kg/day

Group 3

300

mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000 mg/kg/day

Thyroid Glanda

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Follicular cell hypertrophy, diffuse

 

    Minimal

2

5

8

6

1

6

7

5

    Slight

-

1

-

2

-

-

1

1

Colloid alteration

 

    Minimal

1

6

8

3

-

1

3

3

    Slight

-

-

-

6

-

-

1

3

 

Livera

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Centrilobular hepatocellular hypertrophy

 

    Minimal

-

-

-

3

-

-

-

3

Cytoplasmic rarefaction

 

    Minimal

-

-

-

-

1

1

2

9

a= Number of tissues examined from each group.

Shaded dose levels regarded to represent treatment-related changes.

Table 23. Select Microscopic Findings: Pituitary gland and Kidney (Males) 

Dose (mg/kg/day):

Group 1

(Control)

0 mg/kg/day

Group 2

100

mg/kg/day

Group 3

300

mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000

mg/kg/day

Pituitary Glanda

10

10

10

10

Hypertrophy adenohypophyseal cells, multifocal

 

    Minimal

-

-

-

3

 

Kidneya

10

10

10

10

Hyaline droplet accumulation

 

    Minimal

4

6

1

-

    Slight

2

3

6

2

    Moderate

-

-

3

7

    Marked

-

-

-

1

Granular cast(s)

 

    Minimal

-

-

7

4

    Slight

-

-

-

2

    Moderate

-

-

-

2

    Marked

-

-

-

2

Basophilia tubule

 

    Minimal

5

8

4

-

    Slight

-

-

5

5

    Moderate

-

-

-

4

    Marked

-

-

-

1

Infiltrate inflammatory cell, lymphocytic

 

    Minimal

3

6

7

8

    Slight

-

-

-

2

a= Number of tissues examined from each group.

Shaded dose levels regarded to represent treatment-related changes.

Table 24. Select Microscopic Findings: Adrenal gland and Vagina (Females) 

Dose (mg/kg/day):

Group 1

(Control)

0 mg/kg/day

Group 2

100

mg/kg/day

Group 3

300

mg/kg/day

Group 4

1000

mg/kg/day

Adrenal Glanda

10

10

9

10

Hypertrophy cortical, zona fasciculata

 

     Minimal

-

-

2

6

 

Vaginaa

10

10

9

10

Increased mucification

 

     Minimal

-

-

-

3

     Marked

-

-

1

-

a= Number of tissues examined from each group.

Shaded dose levels regarded to represent treatment-related changes.

Table 25. Reproduction Data Summary

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Females paired

10

10

10

10

Females mated

10

10

10

10

Pregnant females

9

9

10

10

Females dead on post coitum Day 23

0

0

1

0

Females with living pups on Day 1

9

9

9

10

 

Mating index (%):

(Females mated / Females paired) * 100

100

100

100

100

Fertility index (%):

(Pregnant females / Females mated) * 100

90

90

100

100

Gestation index (%):

(Females with living pups on Day 1 / Pregnant females) * 100

100

100

90

100

Table 26. Precoital Time (F0 – Generation: Post Coitum)

Day of the Pairing Period

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

Number of Females Mated

Day 1

3

3

2

2

Day 2

2

3

-

2

Day 3

2

1

2

1

Day 4

3

3

6

4

Day 14

-

-

-

1

 

Median Precoital Time

3

2

4

4

Mean Precoital Time

2.5

2.4

3.2

3.9

N

10

10

10

10

+/++ Steel-test significant at 5% (+) or 1% (++) level

Table 27. Summary of Implantation Sites (Females)

 

Group 1

(Control –

0 mg/kg/day)

Group 2

(100 mg/kg/day)

Group 3

(300 mg/kg/day)

Group 4

(1000 mg/kg/day)

At necropsy

 

Implantations

Mean

11.1

13.0

12.8

12.4

Std Dev

2.4

1.4

1.5

1.3

N

9

9

10

10

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
Based on the effects observed in this sub-chronic oral toxicity study, the systemic toxicity No Observed Adverse Effect Levels (NOAEL) of Petroleum gas oil fraction, co-processed with renewable hydrocarbons of plant and/or animal origin was determined to be 100 mg/kg/day factoring in the alpha 2µ-globulin nephropathy observed in male rats and ≥1000 mg/kg/day excluding the alpha 2µ-globulin nephropathy since this is a male rat specific effect and of no toxicological relevance to human beings. In the absence of any adverse treatment-related reproductive toxicity observed at the highest dose tested, the NOAEL for reproductive toxicity was determined to be ≥1000 mg/kg/day.
Executive summary:

A key OECD Guideline 408/422 combined 90-day repeated dose with the reproduction / developmental toxicity screening study was conducted to determine the potential toxic effects of the test material (Petroleum gas oil fraction, co-processed with renewable hydrocarbons of plant and/or animal origin (EC 941-364-9)). The potential of the test material to affect male and female reproductive performance such as gonadal function, mating behaviour, conception, parturition and early postnatal development was also evaluated. The test material was administered once daily to Han Wistar rats (10/sex/dose) via oral gavage in a corn oil vehicle at doses of 0, 100, 300, or 1000 mg/kg/day for a period of 90 days.

 

Mortality/ moribundity, clinical signs, functional observations, body weight and food consumption, ophthalmology, estrous cycle, clinical pathology, measurement of thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH, gross necropsy findings, organ weights, and histopathologic evaluations were undertaken in the study. Additionally,reproductive toxicity parameters examined included mating and fertility indices, precoital time, number of implantation sites, gestation index and duration, parturition, and maternal care while developmental parameters evaluated included sex ratio and early postnatal pup development (mortality, clinical signs, body weights, sex, anogenital distance, areola/nipple retention and macroscopy, and measurement of thyroid hormones T3, T4 and TSH).

 

One female rat (No. 61) in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group was found dead on Day 23 post coitum (before scheduled necropsy). Based on the time of death and on the observed macroscopic findings, this death was considered most-likely related to labour difficulties and not treatment-related. There were no clinical signs of toxicity observed during the daily clinical or weekly arena observations. Slight salivation (dose-related) was observed post-dosing in treated animals through most of the treatment period. Taking into account the nature and minor severity of the effect and its time of occurrence (i.e., after dosing), this was considered to be a physiological response rather than a sign of treatment-related systemic toxicity.No treatment-related changes in body weights or body weight gain and food consumption were observed through the study period. Ophthalmology parameters in male and females rats were unaffected by treatment at doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day. Hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex and grip strength were unaffected by treatment. Motor activity was considered unaffected by treatment in male rats up to 300 mg/kg/day and in females at all dose levels. At 1000 mg/kg/day, the number of total movements in male rats was decreased (0.72x of control). All groups showed a similar motor activity habituation profile with a decreasing trend in activity over the duration of the test period. In the absence of a dose-response trend, any changes in functional observations were considered unrelated to treatment or considered to derive from a relatively high mean control value (fore grip strength in males at 1000 mg/kg/day).

 

At 100 mg/kg/day, non-adverse changes such as decreased bile acid concentration in males; increased T4 levels in males; decreased T3 levels in females;and an increased incidence and/or severity of diffuse follicular cell hypertrophy and/or colloid alteration in the thyroid gland of both sexes was observed.

 

At 300 mg/kg/day, adverse alpha 2µ-globulin nephropathy correlating with increased urea and creatinine levels and enlargement, softening, and greenish discoloration of the kidneys was observed in the kidney of male rats. Correlating microscopic findings comprising hyaline droplet accumulation (confirmed by alpha 2µ-globulin immunostaining), granular casts, and tubular basophilia were also observed in male rats at this dose level. Additionally, at 300 mg/kg/day, non-adverse changes such as decreased bile acid concentration in males; decreased eosinophil count in females; increased T4 levels in males; decreased T3 levels in both sexes; enlargement of the liver in females; increased absolute and relative liver weights in males; increased absolute and relative adrenal gland weights in females; cortical hypertrophy of the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland in females; increased incidence and/or severity of diffuse follicular cell hypertrophy and/or colloid alteration in the thyroid gland of both sexes were observed.

 

At 1000 mg/kg/day, adverse alpha 2µ-globulin nephropathy correlating with increased urea and creatinine levels; enlargement of the kidneys; and higher absolute and relative kidney weights was observed in the kidney of male rats. Correlating microscopic findings comprised of hyaline droplet accumulation (confirmed by alpha 2µ-globulin immunostaining), granular casts, tubular basophilia and inflammatory cell infiltrate. Additionally, at this dose levelnon-adverse observed included decreased total movements at motor activity assessment in males; increased white blood cell count; lymphocyte count and mean corpuscular volume in males; decreased red blood cell count; hemoglobin and hematocrit in both sexes; decreased eosinophil count in females; increased total bilirubin in both sexes; decreased bile acid concentration in males; increased potassium and inorganic phosphate levels in males; decreased T3 levels in both sexes; black-brown discoloration of the liver in both sexes; enlargement of the liver in females; increased absolute and relative liver weights in both sexes; centrilobular hepatocellular hypertrophy in both sexes; increased cytoplasmic rarefaction in females; enlargement and increased absolute and relative weight of the adrenal gland in females; cortical hypertrophy of the zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland in females; higher absolute and relative thyroid gland weights in males; increased incidence and/or severity of diffuse follicular cell hypertrophy and/or colloid alteration in the thyroid gland of both sexes; multifocal hypertrophy of adenohypophyseal cells in the pituitary gland in males; increased mucification of the vaginal epithelium in females; and bronchiolo-alveolar inflammation of the lung in males.

 

Length and regularity of the estrous cycle were unaffected by treatment with most females having a regular cycle of 4 to 5 days. One control female (No. 42) was acyclic but delivered a normal litter. Given that this concerned a control female, the finding was unrelated to treatment. 1/10 couples of the control group (Male No. 3 and Female No. 43) and 1/10 couples in 100 mg/kg/day group (Male No. 13 and Female No. 53) were without offspring. For Female No. 53 the infertility was likely due to an imperforate vagina as evidenced by marked dilation with mucinous contents of the cervix. While this could be seen as a developmental abnormality, the single observation in one female at 300 mg/kg/day was regarded unrelated to treatment. No abnormalities were observed in the reproductive organs of the control couple, which could account for their lack of offspring. Additionally, One female rat in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group (No. 61) was found dead on Day 23 post-coitum with pups in normal stage of development in the uterus and Male No. 21 was therefore regarded to be fertile. This death was regarded to be related to delivery difficulties. There were no morphological findings in the reproductive organs of either sex which could be considered treatment-related. Stage dependent qualitative evaluation of spermatogenesis revealed normal progression of the spermatogenic cycle and the expected cell associations and proportions in the various stages of spermatogenesis were present.

 

The mating index and precoital time were unaffected by treatment with all females showing evidence of mating within 4 days, with the exception of one female at 1000 mg/kg/day, which showed evidence of mating after 14 days. This was considered to be a background finding commonly observed in rats of this age and strain and not related to treatment. The number of implantation sites was not affected by treatment. The mean number of implantation sites were 11.1, 13.0, 12.8, and 12.4 for the 0, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day dose groups, respectively. Fertility index was also not affected by treatment and fertility indices were 90, 90, 100, and 100% for the control, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg/day groups, respectively. One female in the 100 mg/kg/day group was not pregnant. The infertility was likely due to an imperforated vagina as evidenced by marked dilation with mucinous contents of the cervix. While this could be seen as a developmental abnormality, the single instance in one female at 300 mg/kg/day was regarded unrelated treatment. No signs of difficult or prolonged parturition were observed among the pregnant females, except for one female (No. 61) in the 300 mg/kg/day dose group. Examination of cage debris of pregnant females revealed no signs of abortion or premature birth and no deficiencies in maternal care were observed.

 

Overall no signs of treatment-related reproductive toxicity were observed up to the highest dose level tested (1000 mg/kg/day) in this study.

 

Based on the effects observed in this sub-chronic oral toxicity study, the systemic toxicity No Observed Adverse Effect Levels (NOAEL) of Petroleum gas oil fraction, co-processed with renewable hydrocarbons of plant and/or animal origin was determined to be 100 mg/kg/day factoring in the alpha 2µ-globulin nephropathy observed in male rats and ≥1000 mg/kg/day excluding the alpha 2µ-globulin nephropathy since this is a male rat specific effect and of no toxicological relevance to human beings. In the absence of any adverse treatment-related reproductive toxicity observed at the highest dose tested, the NOAEL for reproductive toxicity was determined to be ≥1000 mg/kg/day.