α,α,6,6-tetramethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene-2-propionaldehyde

Repeated dose toxicity: oral

Administrative data

Endpoint:

short-term repeated dose toxicity: oral

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2016- 2017

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

study report

Title:

Unnamed

Year:

2017

Report date:

2017

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Test guideline 1

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:

no

Test guideline 2

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: (EPA) Health Effects Test Guidelines, OPPTS 870.3650, Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test

Version / remarks:

July 2000

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 3

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: EPA Health Effects Test Guidelines, OPPTS 870.3550, Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test

Version / remarks:

July 2000

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 4

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

EU Method B.7 (Repeated Dose (28 Days) Toxicity (Oral))

Version / remarks:

May 2008

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 5

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: EPA Health Effects Test Guidelines, OPPTS 870.3050, Repeated Dose 28-day oral toxicity study in rodents

Version / remarks:

July 2000

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 6

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other:  OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals, Guideline 421, Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test

Version / remarks:

29 July 2016

Deviations:

no

Test guideline 7

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 407 (Repeated Dose 28-Day Oral Toxicity Study in Rodents)

Version / remarks:

October 2008

Deviations:

no

GLP compliance:

yes

Limit test:

no

Test material

Test material information

1

Reference substance name:

α,α,6,6-tetramethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene-2-propionaldehyde

EC Number:

251-718-8

EC Name:

α,α,6,6-tetramethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene-2-propionaldehyde

Cas Number:

33885-52-8

Molecular formula:

C14H22O

IUPAC Name:

3-{6,6-dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-2-yl}-2,2-dimethylpropanal

Test material form:

liquid

Test animals

Species:

rat

Strain:

Wistar

Remarks:

Crl:WI (Han)

Details on species / strain selection:

Rat is one of the rodent species acceptable to the regulatory authorities. Historical control data for the strain are available at the Test Facility.

Sex:

male/female

Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:

TEST ANIMALS
- Source: Charles River Laboratories France, Domaine des Oncins, 69210 Saint-Germain-Nuelles, France
- Females (if applicable) nulliparous and non-pregnant: yes
- Age at study initiation: Males approximately 11 weeks, Females Approximately 13 weeks
- Weight at study initiation: Males: 345 to 401 g; Females: 196 to 247 g
- Fasting period before study: no
- Housing: One air-conditioned room in a barrier protected unit. Animal were housed in plastic cages meeting European directive 2010/63/EU requirements. Cellulose bedding (Serlab, Montataire, France) or dust-free sawdust (SDS/Dietex, Argenteuil, France) made from spruce tree wood. Animals received a small amount (handful) of shredded paper (SDS/Dietex) and the isolated animals had free access to a wooden gnaw block (Aspen Bricks, Dietex France).
- Diet (e.g. ad libitum): Rat powdered complete diet ad libitum (Diet reference A04C10 P2.5) sterilised by irradiation. Each batch of diet is supplied with a certificate of analysis which is verified and authorized for release by a veterinarian.
- Water (e.g. ad libitum): Softened and filtered (0.2 µm) mains drinking water was available ad libitum (via an automatic watering system or bottles).
- Acclimation period: 8 days between animal arrival and start of pre-test estrous cycle smears (females) or start of treatment (males).


ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 22 + 3 °C (target range)
- Humidity (%): > 35 % (target)
- Air changes (per hr): at least 10
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12

IN-LIFE DATES: From: 03 January 2017 To:27 February 2017

Administration / exposure

Route of administration:

oral: feed

Vehicle:

other: Basic powdered diet (Diet reference A04C10 P2.5)

Details on oral exposure:

DIET PREPARATION
A pre-mix preparation was performed: the test item and the vehicle were weighed. The test item was added slowly to the powder diet and mixed using a spatula. Then the mix preparation was performed: a part of the vehicle was placed into a mixer. The pre-mix preparation was added and the remaining powder diet was added. The formulation was mixed for at least 12 minutes (until a homogeneous mix was obtained).
Test item/diet mixes were formulated at least once weekly and aliquoted into daily aliquots stored frozen (between -15 and -25 °C).Daily aliquots were removed from the freezer just before delivery to the animal unit and were placed at refrigerated temperature (between +2 and +8 °C) and/or placed at room temperature (between +15 and +25 °C) just before hopper filling. The temperature was outside the targets on 1 occasion (8.8 °C instead of 2-8 °C) during the study. This deviation did not noticeably affect the storage condition of the test item

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

The homogeneity of the test item in the diet mix was confirmed between 250 to 10000 ppm (validation study).
Stability of the test item in the diet mix (250 to 10000 ppm): 48 hours stored refrigerated (2 to 4 °C) and 8 days stored frozen (-15 to -25 °C), in bags. However, the test item formulation was not stable for 24 hours at room temperature (15 to 25°C) in the food hopper (decrease in achieved concentration more than 10% of time 0 concentration) (validation study).
Analysis of preparations:The diets for each dose group including the control prepared to be distributed during the first week of the study were analysed within the stability period for achieved concentrations. Duplicate (2x 30 g) samples were taken from each formulation from the middle of the bulk diets on the day of preparation.The first set of samples was analysed at the Test Facility using a validated method. The transfer and validation of the analytical method was the subject of a separate study plan. Samples were stored frozen (-15 to -25 °C) up to analysis.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

males:14 days before mating, throughout the mating period and up to the day before necropsy (i.e. 31 days for males)
females:14 days before mating, throughout the mating period and up to the day before necropsy. During gestation (the first day of gestation was designated as G0) and 14 days after parturition up to and including the day before necropsy (the first day of birth is designated as L0). Apparently unmated females for 26 days after the last day of the mating period.

Frequency of treatment:

Continuously

Doses / concentrations

Doses / concentrations 1

Dose / conc.:

450 other: ppm; intended dose 37.5 mg/kg bw

Doses / concentrations 2

Dose / conc.:

1 800 other: ppm; intended dose 150 mg/kg bw

Doses / concentrations 3

Dose / conc.:

7 200 other: ppm; intended dose 600 mg/kg bw

No. of animals per sex per dose:

10

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale: in the preliminary study, test item given in diet at 9000 ppm induced body weight loss during the first days and a decreased body weight gain (associated with the decreased food consumption) over the 14 days of dosing, when compared with the control group. Therefore, the dose of 9000 ppm was considered a maximum tolerated dose for the preliminary 14-day study but was considered too high for a study of longer duration and with pregnant and lactating females.
Therefore, for this study, the mid dose of 1800 ppm used in the preliminary study was kept and a factor of 4 was used between each dose (instead of 5 in the preliminary study). Thus, the doses of pinyl isobutyraldehyde in this study were 450, 1800 and 7200 ppm.

Examinations

Observations and examinations performed and frequency:

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: twice daily

DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: daily

BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Individual body weights of the males were recorded weekly from the first day of exposure (prior to the first exposure) up to necropsy.
Individual body weights for females were recorded weekly during pre-mating and mating periods (only pre-mating data are reported), on Days 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, 17 and 20 of gestation, and on Days 1, 4, 7 and 13 of lactation.

FOOD CONSUMPTION AND COMPOUND INTAKE (if feeding study):
- Food consumption for each animal determined and mean daily diet consumption calculated as g food/kg body weight/day: Yes
- Compound intake calculated as time-weighted averages from the consumption and body weight gain data: Yes

FOOD EFFICIENCY:
- Body weight gain in kg/food consumption in kg per unit time X 100 calculated as time-weighted averages from the consumption and body weight gain data: No

WATER CONSUMPTION: No

OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: No

HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: at the end of premating period (study Day 14)
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes (for at least 16 hours)
- How many animals: 5/sex/group (randomly selected)
- Parameters examined: according to guidelines

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: at the end of premating period (study Day 14)
- Animals fasted: Yes (for at least 16 hours)
- How many animals: 5/sex/group (randomly selected)
- Parameters examined: according to guidelines

URINALYSIS: No

NEUROBEHAVIOURAL EXAMINATION: YES
Functional tests. 5/sex/group (randomly selected) shortly before kill (study Day 31 for males and on Day 13 of lactation for females). The tests included auditory reflex, pupillary reflex, surface righting reflex, forelimb grip strength, and locomotor activity in an open field test.

IMMUNOLOGY: No

Sacrifice and pathology:

GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes, according to Guidelines

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes, according to Guidelines

Other examinations:

Thyroid hormone analysis

Statistics:

Statistical analyses were performed by the Provantis data acquisition system, where appropriate, as follows:
The best transformation for the data (none, log or rank) was determined depending upon
 the kurtosis of the data
 the probability of the Bartlett's test for homogeneity of the variances and
 an assessment of whether the size of the groups were approximately equal or not.
Non- or log-transformed data were analysed by parametric methods.
Rank transformed data were analysed using non-parametric methods.
Data were then analysed to test for a dose-related trend to detect the lowest dose at which there was a significant effect, based on the Williams test for parametric data or the Shirley's test for non-parametric data.
Homogeneity of means was assessed by analysis of variances (ANOVA) for parametric data or Kruskal-Wallis test for non-parametric data.
If no trend was found and means were not homogeneous, the data were analysed by parametric or non-parametric Dunnett's test to look for significant differences from the control group.
Selected incidence data were analysed using the Provantis data acquisition system and/or a SAS software package. A chi2 test was used for all groups followed by Fisher’s two-tailed test with Bonferroni correction for each treated group versus the control if the chi2 was significant.
The locomotor activity in an open field and the estrous cycle, pre-coital interval and anogenital distance data were analysed using a SAS software package. Levene’s test was used to test the equality of variance across groups and Shapiro-Wilk's test was used to assess the normality of the data distribution in each group. Data with homogenous variances and normal distribution in all groups were analysed using ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test. Data showing non-homogenous variances or a non-normal distribution in at least one group were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Wilcoxon's rank sum test.

Results and discussion

Results of examinations

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Torn claw, localized hairloss, sores, scabs or nodule on the tail were considered incidental.

Mortality:

no mortality observed

Description (incidence):

There were no unscheduled deaths among F0 rats.

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

males:
There was a dose-related lower mean body weight gain for males given 1800 and 7200 ppm throughout the pre-mating period (-18 and -35 %, respectively) compared with the control group, resulting in lower final mean body weight on Day 29 (-3 and -7 %, respectively).
females:
During the pre-mating period, there was a lower mean body weight gain for all treated female groups during the first 8 days of dosing when compared with the control group. Changes were not dose-related.
During the gestation period (G0 to G20), there was a dose-related lower mean body weight gain at 1800 ppm (mainly between G0 and G14) and at 7200 ppm, when compared with the control group.
During the lactation period, the mean body weight change between L1 and L13 was similar for all groups, although a mean body weight gain at 1800 and 7200 ppm slightly lower than controls between L1 and L4.
These decreased in body weight gains induced minor effects on body weight at 1800 ppm (-4 % at the end of the pre-mating period for males (Day 29) and -4 % and -2% at the end of the gestation (G20) and lactation (L13) periods, respectively, for females).
At 7200 ppm, these changes induced relevant effect on body weight at the end of the gestation period (-9 % on G20) and, at a lower severity, at the end of the pre-mating period for males (-7 % on Day 29), whereas the effect on body weight was minor at the end of the lactation period (-4% on L13). (see tabel mean body weight changes of females in section any other results including tabels)

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Males
There was a dose-related lower mean food consumption for males treated at 1800 and 7200 ppm between Days 1 and 15 (-7% and -10%, respectively) compared with the control group. The decrease was more pronounced between Days 1 and 3 (up to -28 % at 7200 ppm).

Females
There was a lower mean food consumption for females treated at 7200 ppm between Days 1 and 4 during the pre-mating period (up to -44 %) and a dose-related lower mean food consumption for females treated at 1800 and 7200 ppm between Gestation Days 1 and 20 (-11 and -21 %, respectively), compared with the control group.
During the lactation period, there was no test item effect in food consumption in any group. At 450 and 1800 ppm, the mean food consumption was even higher than in controls (+22% and +14 %, respectively) and at 7200 ppm, it was comparable with controls.

Food efficiency:

not examined

Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):

not examined

Ophthalmological findings:

not examined

Haematological findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no test item-related effects in haematology and coagulation parameters in any group.
The slightly lower mean fibrinogen concentration for females treated at 1800 and 7200 ppm was considered of no toxicological relevance in view of the low magnitude of the change and since mean values were within the background control range.

Clinical biochemistry findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no relevant test item-related effects in serum clinical chemistry parameters in any group.
The following statistically significant differences compared with controls, were considered of no toxicological significance in view of their low magnitude or since mean values remained close or within the normal historical control range:
- slightly higher mean total protein and albumin concentration for males treated at 1800 and 7200 ppm
- increased individual creatinine levels for 3 males at 7200 ppm
- increased individual phosphorus levels in 2 females at 1800 and 3 females at 7200 ppm.

Urinalysis findings:

not examined

Behaviour (functional findings):

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

There was a dose-related lower mean grip strength in all treated groups for both sexes compared with the control groups (-7%, -30% and -27% in males dosed 450, 1800 and 7200 ppm, respectively, and -16%, -27% and -38% in females dosed 450, 1800 and 7200 ppm, respectively). Lower body weights in treated groups might be the cause of lower strength in treated groups. This effect was therefore considered most probably incidental.
There were no test item-related changes in auditory, pupillary or righting reflexes.
There were no test item-related changes in open field data for males and females.
The mean total time spent in lateral regions was higher for all treated males compared with controls but values were within the historical control range. The mean control value for males was moreover low compared with historical control data. Although statistically significant, these differences were therefore considered as unrelated to treatment.

Immunological findings:

not examined

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Test item-related higher mean absolute and relative liver weights were noted in males (+24%) and females (+26%) at 7200 ppm, as were thyroid with parathyroid glands (+25%) and kidney (+18%) weights in males at the same dose. Lower mean absolute and relative spleen (-18%), ovaries (-18%) and uterus (-24%) weights were seen in females at 7200 ppm. Of these changes, only the kidney weight variation could be accounted for histologically by tubular degeneration and basophilia, noted in all males at 7200 ppm only. Although the liver and thyroid weight variations had no histological correlate, they are likely to be attributable to an adaptive hepatocellular hypertrophic change with secondary thyroid follicular cell hypertrophy.

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no macroscopic observations that were considered to be associated with administration of the test item for treated males and females.

Neuropathological findings:

not examined

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Test item-related microscopic findings were noted in the kidneys of males at 7200 ppm. Degeneration of tubules of the cortex and medulla was seen at a slight grade in all males at 7200 ppm, in association with tubular basophilia. Tubular degeneration was more pronounced at the corticomedullary junction, where tubules were dilated and filled with hyaline casts. Because of its unusual localisation and severity, the degenerative change could be considered to be potentially adverse and, because it is confined to males, it could be related to the protein metabolism of male rat kidneys.

Histopathological findings: neoplastic:

no effects observed

Other effects:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Slightly higher total T4 levels were noted for F0-males given 450 and 1800 ppm and for male PND 13 pups in the 450 ppm dose group, compared with concurrent control animals. These differences reached statistical significance, but were not considered test item-related in the absence of a dose-related distribution, because no increase in total T4 levels were observed in the animals in the 7200 ppm group.

Effect levels

Key result

Dose descriptor:

other: NOAEL is 1800 ppm

Remarks:

actual dose ca 83 mg/kg bw

Effect level:

1 800 ppm

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

body weight and weight gain

food consumption and compound intake

histopathology: non-neoplastic

organ weights and organ / body weight ratios

Remarks on result:

other: Slight body weight decreases, liver weights and other organ weights were increased up to 25% at the next higher dose of 7200 ppm (243 mg/kg bw)

Target system / organ toxicity

Key result

Critical effects observed:

yes

Lowest effective dose / conc.:

7 200 other: corresponding with actual intake of 246 mg/kg bw

System:

urinary

Organ:

kidney

Treatment related:

yes

Dose response relationship:

yes

Relevant for humans:

yes

Any other information on results incl. tables

Summary of mean achieved concentrations throughout the study period (deviations from theoretical concentrations in brackets)

Period		Target dose level in mg/kg BW/day (dose in ppm)
		37.5 (450)	150 (1800)	600 (7200)
Pre-mating D1-D8	Males	31 (- 18 %)	113 (- 25 %)	445 (- 26 %)
	Females	30 (- 19 %)	165 (+ 10 %)	413 (- 31 %)
Pre-mating D8-D15	Males	27 (- 28 %)	104 (- 25 %)	412 (- 31 %)
	Females	28 (- 27 %)	115 (- 23 %)	465 (- 22 %)
Gestation G0-G20 (Females)	Range	32 to 36 (- 3 to – 15 %)	114 to 136 (- 10 to – 24 %)	410 to 492 (- 18 to - 32 %)
Lactation L1-L4 (Females)	Range	56 to 83 (+ 51 to + 121 %)	214 to 309 (+ 43 to + 106 %)	784 to 1167  (+ 31 to + 95 %)
Actual lowest dose	Female	21	83	323
	Male	21	94	246

Formulation analysis: All analyzed samples of fomulations prepared at nominal concentrations of 450, 1800 and 7200 ppm of Pinyl iso Butyraldehyde alpha in basic powder diet (A04C10 P2.5) taken from each preparation, including the control, one day during the first week of treatment were in agreement with acceptance criteria (± 20 %), except group 2 formulation at 450 ppm showing a deviation from nominal concentration of -20.2 % slightly above acceptance criteria of +/-20 %. The deviations from the nominal concentrations of formulation at 1800 and 7200 ppm were -18.0 % to -18.4 %. Investigation of the result outside acceptance criteria did not allowed identifying a root cause which may explain the low concentration observed. Duplicate sample from group 2 were not reanalyzed as stability of test item was limited to 5 days at room temperature (+15 to +25 °C) in open feeder and showed degradation for further duration storage.

No test item was present in the vehicle sample.

Achieved dose: Throughout the pre-mating period, the achieved intake of test item, calculated from the body weight and food consumption data, was lower, at all dose levels, than the theoretical concentrations, for males and females (-18 to -32 %), except at the mid-dose where there was a +10 % higher achieved dose during the first week for females only.

During the gestation period, the decreased achieved intake of test item was more slight at the low and mid dose level (-3 to – 24 %), than during the pre-mating period. At the high dose level, the decreased achieved concentration ranged from -18 to -32 %.

During the lactation period, due to higher food consumption for treated females (see section 11.7), the achieved intake of test item was markedly higher than the theoretical concentrations (+31 to + 121 %).

In addition, after 24-hour storage in the food hopper at room temperature, a decrease in test item formulation concentration of approximately -20 % was noted when compared with the nominal concentrations.

  Summary of salient mean body weight changes of females (in g - percent difference from concurrent controls in brackets)

Period	Dose level (ppm)
	0	450	1800	7200
Pre-mating D1-D8	7.26	2.62 * (- 64 %)	4.77 * (- 34 %)	1.04 *** (- 86 %)
Gestation G0-G20	110.34	-	99.83 (- 10 %)	78.88 *** (- 29 %)
Lactation L1-L4	14.33	-	10.83 (- 24 %)	11.44 (- 20 %)

* p<0.05; *** p<0.001

The effects in the kidneys are not due to alpha-hydrocarbon nephropathy in absence of eosinophilic droplets in the tubuli. These observation of these droplets is a key parameter to be seen when the relation with this alpha-hydrocarbon nephrophathy is to be made.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

Based on these results, the dose of 1800 ppm, corresponding to at least 83 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, was considered to be the parental No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL).

Executive summary:

Introduction and Method Potential toxic effects of the test substance after repeated exposure was investigated in an at least 28 -day repeated dose toxicity study with the combined reproduction/developmental toxicity screening test in rats, performed according to OECD guideline and in accordance with GLP principles. Pinyl isobutyraldehyde was administered by daily oral (dietary admixture) to male and female Wistar Han rats at dose levels of 450, 1800 and 7200 ppm (10 rats/sex/dose level, intended doses were 37.5, 120 and 450 mg/kg bw). A control group of 10 rats/sex was given the vehicle (Basic powdered diet). Males were treated for 31 days, i.e. 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up to termination. Females were treated during 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during post-coitum, and up to the day before necropsy (i.e. on day 13 of lactation for females delivered, on day 25 of gestation for unmated females and on study Day 55 for failed to mate female).

Results

Dietary exposure analysis: Throughout the pre-mating period, the achieved intake of test item was generally lower, at all dose levels, than the theoretical concentrations for males and females (-18 to -31 %). During the gestation period, the achieved test item concentration was close to the nominal concentration at the low and mid dose level, whereas at the high dose level, the decreased achieved concentration ranged from -18 to -32 %. During the lactation period, due to higher food consumption in treated females, the achieved intake of test item was markedly higher than the theoretical concentrations (+31 to + 121 %). In addition, after 24-hour storage in the food hopper at room temperature, a decrease in test item formulation concentration of approximately -20 % was noted when compared with the nominal concentrations. The intake on a mg/kg bw bases was 21, 83 and 246 mg/kg bw using the lower intake for either males or females.

Clinical signs: There was no death or clinical sign during the study. There were decreased mean body weight gains and food consumption at 1800 and 7200 ppm in both sexes up to the end of the gestation period, leading to a relevant lower body weight at 7200 ppm (246 mg/kg bw).

Functional battery observations: There was no obvious effect of treatment on the auditory, pupillary and righting reflexes or open field tests for the males or females at any dose level. Lower gripping strength in treated rats was considered to be the consequence of slightly lower body weights and not a direct effect of the test item.

Heamatology, Clinical chemistry and T4 levels: There were no test item-related changes.

Organ weights and histopathological effects: For males and females at 7200 ppm (246 mg/kg bw), test item induced changes in organ weights a.o. increase in relative liver weight up to 25% without showing histopathological changes. At this 7200 ppm, relative kidney weights in males only were increased up to 18%. This increase was associated with tubular degeneration and tubular basophilia for males without hyaline droplets and therefore the effects were not considered to be due to alpha-hydrocarbon nephropathy. This means that this effect has to be taken into account for the derivation of the NOAEL.

Discussion

In view of the instability of the substance, the intake of the substance was lower than anticipated for all doses. The substance may have volatilised and/or degraded due to oxidation of the aldehyde. At 7200 ppm (246 mg/kg bw) slight (maximum -9%) body weight decrease was considered treatment related. Several organ weights were increased e.g. liver, thyroid and kidney. No histopathological effects were seen in most organs but in kidneys tubular effects were seen in males, which could not be attributed to alpha-hydrocarbon nephropathy in absence of hyaline (eosinophilic) droplets. Based on these results and specifically the histopathological effects in the kidneys, the dose of 1800 ppm, corresponding to at least 83 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, was considered as the parental No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL).