trisodium 3-[{3-[bis(2-carboxylatoethyl)amino]propyl}(C12-18-(even numbered) and C18-(unsaturated) alkyl)amino]propanoate

Endpoint summary

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Effects on fertility

Description of key information

There is a new fully GLP compliant study on β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt according to OECD guideline 422 (2016). This is a repeat dose study and a reproduction and development screening gavage dosing study in rats.

Link to relevant study records

Reference

Endpoint:

screening for reproductive / developmental toxicity

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

09 October 2017 - 21 March 2018

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

guideline study

Justification for type of information:

At this time, studies in laboratory animals provide the best available basis for extrapolation to humans and are required to support regulatory submissions. Acceptable models which do not use live an imals currently do not exist. The total number of animals used in this study was considered to be the minimum required to properly characterize the effects of the test item. This study has been designed such that it does not require an unnecessary number of animals to accomplish its objectives.

Reason / purpose for cross-reference:

reference to same study

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)

Version / remarks:

2016

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: EPA OPPTS 870.3650, Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction/Deve lopmental Toxicity Screening Test

Version / remarks:

2000

Deviations:

no

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

other: See "Principles of method if other than guideline"

Principles of method if other than guideline:

In addition, the procedures described in this study plan essentially conform to the following guidelines:
- OECD 421, Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test, 2016;
- EPA OPPTS 870.3550, Reproduction/Developmental Toxicity Screening Test, 2000;
- EC No 440/2008, B.7 Repeated Dose (28 days) Toxicity (oral), 2008;
- OECD 407, Repeated Dose 28-day Oral Toxicity Study in Rodents, 2008;
- EPA OPPTS 870.3050, Repeated Dose 28-day Oral Toxicity Study in Rodents, 2000.

GLP compliance:

yes

Limit test:

no

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Purity/Composition correction factor: ~30% based on solid content;
pH (20% aq. solution): 6.3 (6.0 - 7.0);
Specific gravity / density: 1.047 kg/m3 at 20°C.
Product name: Ampholak YCE
Lot/batch: 48724
Total solids (analysis 18.09.2017): 29.7% (29.0 - 30.0%)

Species:

rat

Strain:

other: 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 Deutschland, Sulzfeld, Germany
- Females nulliparous and non-pregnant: yes
- Age at study initiation: 11 weeks (males) and 14 weeks (females)
- Weight at study initiation: 272 - 301 g (males) and 210 - 252 g (females)
- Fasting period before study: No (during motor activity measurements the animals had no access to food; males were fasted before necropsy overnight with a maximum of 24 hours, females were not fasted)
- Housing: On arrival and following the pretest (females only) and pre-mating period, animals were group housed (up to 5 animals of the same sex and same dosing group together) in polycarbonate cages (Macrolon, MIV type, height 18 cm). During the mating phase, males and females were cohabitated on a 1:1 basis in Macrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm). During the post-mating phase, males were housed in their home cage (Macrolon plastic cages, MIV type, height 18 cm) with a maximum of 5 males/cage. Females were individually housed in Macrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm). During the lactation phase, females were housed in Macrolon plastic cages (MIII type, height 18 cm).
- Diet: Pelleted rodent diet (SM R/M-Z from SSNIFF® Spezialdiäten GmbH, Soest, Germany), ad libitum
- Water: municipal water, ad libitum
- Acclimation period: at least 8 days

DETAILS OF FOOD AND WATER QUALITY: The feed was analyzed by the supplier for nutritional components and environmental contaminants. Periodic analysis of the water is performed. There were no known contaminants in the feed or in the water that would interfere with the objectives of the study.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
- Temperature (°C): 20-22
- Humidity (%): 32-57
- Air changes (per hr): at least 10
- Photoperiod (hrs dark / hrs light): 12/12

IN-LIFE DATES: From: 30 Nov 2017 To: 31 Jan 2018

Route of administration:

oral: gavage

Vehicle:

water

Details on exposure:

- PREPARATION OF DOSING SOLUTIONS:
Test item dosing formulations (w/w) were homogenized to visually acceptable levels at appropriate concentrations to meet dose level requirements. From start until Day 24 of treatment, the dosing formulations were prepared daily as a solution and dosed within 5 hours after completion of the preparation of the formulation. From Day 25 of treatment, the dosing formulations were prepared weekly in bulk, filled out in daily portions and stored at room temperature for a maximum of 8 days from preparation. Prior to dosing, the formulations were stirred for at least 30 minutes. All formulations were used within the demonstrated stability period of 8 days of preparation. Adjustment was made for specific gravity of the test item. A factor of 3.4 was used to correct for the purity/composition of the test item.

Details on mating procedure:

After 14 days of treatment, animals were cohabitated on a 1:1 basis within the same treatment group, avoiding sibling mating. 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. Once mating had occurred, the males and females were separated. Detection of mating was not confirmed in first instance for two females. Evidence of mating was obtained indirectly by delivery of a litter. Apparently, mating was overlooked in the assessment of the vaginal lavage, which explains the continuation of di-estrus during
the mating in these females. The mating date of these animals was estimated at 21 days prior to the actual delivery date. This day was designated Day 0 post-coitum.

Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

yes

Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:

Analyses were performed by using a validated analytical procedure. Dose formulation samples were collected in the first week of treatment for concentration analysis (all groups), and for homogeneity and stability analysis (low and high dose groups formulations). The homogeneity results obtained from the top, middle and bottom for the low and high dose group preparations were averaged and utilized as the concentration results. Duplicate sets of samples (approximately 500 mg) for each sampling time point were analysed. Concentration results were considered acceptable if mean sample concentration results were within or equal to ± 10% for solutions of target concentration. Stability of the test item in water was determined after 5 hours and 8 days storage at room temperature.

Duration of treatment / exposure:

Males were treated for 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up to termination (for 29 days). Females that delivered offspring were treated for 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during postcoitum, and at least 13-15 days of lactation (for 60-70 days). Females that failed to deliver pups were treated for 40-42 days.

Frequency of treatment:

Once daily

Dose / conc.:

50 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Dose / conc.:

150 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Dose / conc.:

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

No. of animals per sex per dose:

10

Control animals:

yes, concurrent vehicle

Details on study design:

- Dose selection rationale:
Initially, the dose range finder was started by treatment of two groups for 10 consecutive days, i.e. Group 1 at 500 mg/kg bw/day and Group 2 at 1000 mg/kg bw/day. As the results were considered to be inconclusive for selecting dose levels for the main study, an additional group was treated at 750 mg/kg bw/day for 25 consecutive days. Each group consisted of 3 females.
The following parameters were included:
Mortality: Twice daily throughout the study.
Clinical Observations: At least daily from Days 1-10, at 0-15 minutes, 1 hour (±15 minutes) and 3 hours (± 30 minutes) after dosing.
Body Weights: On Day 1 prior to dosing and on Days 5 and 10. For Group 3 the body weights were determined every 5 days from Day 1 onwards.
Food Consumption Over Days 1-5 and 5-10. For Group 3 food consumption was determined over each of these 5-day periods between body weight measurements.
All animals were subjected to an external, thoracic and abdominal examination on Day 10 for groups 1 and 2 and on day 26 for group 3 after the last observation of clinical signs (scheduled necropsy). Animals were not deprived of food prior to necropsy. Terminal body weight, kidney and liver weight were determined at scheduled necropsy. No organs were fixed and histopathological examination was not performed.

Positive control:

Not included

Parental animals: Observations and examinations:

CAGE SIDE OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: twice daily
DETAILED CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Yes
- Time schedule: Once daily
BODY WEIGHT: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Animals were weighed individually on the first day of treatment (prior to dosing), and weekly thereafter. Mated females were weighed 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:
- Food consumption was quantitatively measured weekly, except for males and females which were housed together for mating and for females without evidence of mating. Food consumption of mated females was measured 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: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Subjective appraisal was maintained during the study, but no quantitative investigation was introduced as no effect was suspected.
OPHTHALMOSCOPIC EXAMINATION: No
HAEMATOLOGY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: On the day of scheduled necropsy
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes (males only (overnight with a maximum of 24 hours), females were not fasted)
- How many animals: All
- All parameters according to guidelines were examined (including thyroid hormone (males only) and coagulation parameters (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time)).
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY: Yes
- Time schedule for collection of blood: On the day of scheduled necropsy
- Anaesthetic used for blood collection: Yes (isoflurane)
- Animals fasted: Yes (males only (overnight with a maximum of 24 hours), females were not fasted)
- How many animals: All
- All parameters according to guidelines were examined.
URINALYSIS: No
FUNCTIONAL TESTS: Yes
- Time schedule for examinations: Week 4 of treatment (males) and during the last week of lactation (i.e. PND 9, 10, 11 and 12; females)
- Dose groups that were examined: 5/sex
- Battery of functions tested: Hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex, fore- and hind-limb grip strength (mean of three measurements per animal), locomotor activity (total movements and ambulations)

Oestrous cyclicity (parental animals):

Estrous cycles were evaluated by examining the vaginal cytology of samples 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 estrus.

Sperm parameters (parental animals):

Histopathological examination (including spermatogenic profiling) of the testes was performed for all males.

Litter observations:

STANDARDISATION OF LITTERS
- To reduce variability among the litters, on PND 4 eight pups from each litter of equal sex distribution (if possible) were selected. Selective elimination of pups, e.g. based upon body weight or anogenital distance, 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 offspring: Number and sex of pups, stillbirths, live births, postnatal mortality, presence of gross anomalies, weight gain (live pups were weighed individually on PND 1, 4, 7 and 13), physical or behavioural abnormalities, anogenital distance (all live pups on PND 1, the AGD was normalized to the cube root of body weight), presence of nipples/areolae in male pups (all male pups in each litter were examined for the number of areola/nipples on PND 13).

Thyroid hormone (total T4) analysis:
Blood of F1-animals was collected on PND 4 and PND 14-16, if possible. This was performed in the necropsy room. On PND 4 at culling, blood was collected from two surplus pups per litter (if possible) by decapitation, between 7.00 and 10.30 a.m., and samples were pooled to one sample per litter. If available, blood was collected from one male and one female pup. If only one surplus pup per litter was available at culling, as much blood as possible was collected from this single pup. On PND 14-16, separate blood samples were collected from two pups per litter (from one male and one female). Blood was drawn, between 7.00 and 10.30 a.m., by aorta puncture under anaesthesia using isoflurane as part of the necropsy procedure.
Measurement of total T4 was conducted for PND 14-16 pups.Assessment of T4 for PND 4 pups and TSH for PND 14-16 pups was considered not relevant because no treatment-related changes in T4 were noted in pups at PND 14-16.

GROSS EXAMINATION OF DEAD PUPS:
Two pups were sacrificed in extremis, i.e one pup from a mid dose group lon PND 5 and one pup from a control litter on PND 13. They were examined externally and sexed (both externally and internally).

Postmortem examinations (parental animals):

GROSS PATHOLOGY: Yes/ All animals were subjected to a full post mortem examination, with special attention being paid to the reproductive organs. In case no macroscopically visible implantation sites were present, nongravid 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. Main organs were weighed at necropsy for all scheduled euthanasia animals. Paired organs were
weighed together. Organ to body weight ratios (using the terminal body weight) were calculated.

HISTOPATHOLOGY: Yes (all animals)
For males that failed to sire (except for males which were selected) and females that failed to delivery pups in addition cervix, epididymis, coagulation gland, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, ovaries, testes, uterus and vagina were examined histopathologically. For the remaining animals gross lesions and masses were examined.

Postmortem examinations (offspring):

All surviving 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.

Statistics:

All statistical tests were conducted at the 5% significance level. All pairwise comparisons were conducted using two sided tests and were reported at the 1% and 5% levels. Numerical data collected on scheduled occasions for the listed variables were analyzed as indicated according to sex and occasion. Descriptive statistics number, mean and standard deviation (or %CV or SE when deemed appropriate) were reported whenever possible. Inferential statistics were performed according to the matrix below when possible, but excluded semi-quantitative data, and any group with less than 3 observations. The following pairwise comparisons were made: Group 2 vs. Group 1, Group 3 vs. Group 1, Group 4 vs. Group 1. Datasets with at least 3 groups (the designated control group and 2 other groups) were compared using Dunnett-test (many-to-one-t-test). Datasets with at least 3 groups was compared using a Steel-test (many-to-one rank test). The motor activity data set was compared using an overall Kruskal-Wallis. An overall Fisher’s exact test was used to compare all groups at the 5% significance level. The above pairwise comparisons were conducted using Fisher’s exact test whenever the overall test is significant.

Reproductive indices:

For each group, the following calculations were performed:
- Mating index: (Number of females mated/Number of females paired) x 100
- Fertility index: (Number of pregnant females/Number of females paired) x 100
- Gestation index: (Number of females bearing live pups/Number of pregnant females) x 100
- Precoital time: Number of days between initiation of cohabitation and confirmation of mating
- Duration of gestation: Number of days between confirmation of mating and the beginning of parturition

Offspring viability indices:

- Post-implantation survival index (%): (Total number of offspring born/ Total number of uterine implantation sites) x 100
- Live birth index: (Number of live offspring on Day 1 after littering/ Total number of offspring born) x 100
- 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
- Percentage live females at First Litter Check: (Number of live female pups at First Litter Check/Number of live pups at First Litter Check) x 100
- Viability index: (Number of live pups on Day 4 of lactation / Number of pups born alive) x 100
- Lactation index: (Number of live offspring on Day 13 after littering/ Number live offspring on Day 4 (after culling)) x 100

Clinical signs:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

No toxicologically relevant clinical signs were noted during daily detailed clinical observations and no findings were noted during the arena observations in this study. Chromodacryorrhoea was noted in one male at 150 mg/kg bw/day on one day of the premating period. Rales were observed in one control male, one female at 150 mg/kg bw/day and one female at 500 mg/kg bw/day. This clinical sign was considered to be of no toxicologically relevance as it was temporary observed in single animals per group and because of its equal distribution over the dose groups (including controls). Salivation seen after dosing in two males at 150 mg/kg bw/day and among all male and female animals at 500 mg/kg bw/day was considered to be a physiological response (possibly due to the taste of test item) rather than a sign of systemic toxicity, taking into account the nature and minor severity of the effect and its time of occurrence (i.e. after dosing). Any other clinical signs noted during the treatment period (i.e. scabs and alopecia) occurred within the range of background findings to be expected for rats of this age and strain which are housed and treated under the conditions in this study and did not show any apparent dose-related trend. At the incidence observed, these were considered to be unrelated to treatment.

Mortality:

mortality observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence):

No mortality occurred during the study period that was considered to be related to treatment with the test item. On day 2 of treatment, one female dosed at 50 mg/kg bw/day started showing breathing difficulties during dosing and died a few moments later. Macroscopic examination revealed liquid in the lungs . Based on these finding its death was considered the result of a dosing error and not related to the test item. After its death, this female was replaced by one of the reserve females. Initiation of treatment of the replacement female was on Day 2.

Body weight and weight changes:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Mean body weights and body weight gain of treated male and female rats remained in the same range as concurrent controls over the treatment period. It should be noted that body weight gain in one control male and one female at 500 mg/kg bw/day was deviating from normal over (part of) the treatment period. For the male, a normal weight gain was observed for the first two weeks of the study, followed by a minimal body weight loss (of approximately 3%) over the remaining two week study period. For the female, a low level of body weight gain was observed during the last part of its gestation period. Nevertheless it delivered a normal litter, and its growth during lactation was normal. Based on the single incidences of deviating growth, these findings were considered of no toxicological relevance and not related to treatment.

Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

No toxicologically relevant changes in food consumption before or after correction for body weight were noted over the treatment period. It should be noted that a low food consumption was observed for one female at 500 mg/kg bw/day during the last part of its gestation period, which was concurrent to its low body weight gain.

Food efficiency:

no effects observed

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

no effects observed

Haematological findings:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

At 500 mg/kg bw/day, increased counts for neutrophils, and a concurrent decreased count for lymphocytes were observed in plasma of male and female animals, achieving levels of statistical significance for neutrophils in both sexes (absolute counts in males and as percentage of whole blood count in females) and for percentage of lymphocytes in females when compared to controls. As a conseque nce, increased neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratios were observed for males and females at 500 mg/kg bw/day when compared to controls and the animals treated at lower doses (neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio's of 0.14, 0.13, 0.15 and 0.32 (males), 0.42, 0.41, 0.38 and 0.79 (females) for control rats and rats dosed at 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg bw/day, respectively). Since an increased neutrophilsto-lymphocytes ratio is considered a marker for (systemic) inflammation, a relation of the changes in these ratios to the findings in the mesenteric lymph nodes could not be ruled out, but could not be established in the current study.
Coagulation parameters of treated rats were considered not to be affected by treatment. The statistic al significance in prothrombin time (PT) noted for males at 50 mg/kg bw/day when compared to controls had occurred by chance. In the absence of a dose-related trend this change was considered not related to treatment and of no toxicological significance.

Clinical biochemistry findings:

effects observed, non-treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Clinical biochemistry parameters of treated rats were considered not to have been affected by treatment. The statistical significances apparent for creatinine levels in males at 150 and 500 mg/kg bw/day were considered the result of relatively lower creatinine values in control males, rather than indicative of a treatment-related effect. Also in the absence of a clear dose response relationship, no toxicological significance was attached to this finding. Any other statistically significant changes in clinical biochemistry parameters, i.e. sodium in males at 50 and 150 mg/kg bw/day and alanine aminotransferase in females at 50 mg/kg bw/day, were considered not to be related to treatment as these occurred in the absence of a dose-related trend. Serum levels of T4 in males were considered not to be affected by treatment. A relatively low group mean value for T4 was observed in males at 500 mg/kg bw/day in comparison with that in controls. Since all individual T4 values of the 500 mg/kg bw/day treated males were within the range of that seen in controls and were well within the historical control data for rats of this strain and age and used in this type of studies, the differences in mean T4 value was a fortuitous finding and not related to treatment.

Behaviour (functional findings):

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Functional observation parameters were considered not to be affected by treatment. Hearing ability, pupillary reflex, static righting reflex and grip strength were normal in all examined animals. Motor activity was considered similar between treated and control groups. All groups showed a similar habituation profile with high activity in the first interval that decreased over the duration of the test period.

Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:

effects observed, treatment-related

Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:

effects observed, treatment-related

Description (incidence and severity):

Foamy macrophage foci in the mesenteric lymph nodes were present at 150 mg/kg bw/day in females at minimal degree and at 500 mg/kg bw/day in males at minimal degree and in females up to mode rate degree and multifocal necrosis was present at 500 mg/kg bw/day in a single female at moderate
degree. There were no other test item-related histologic changes.

Reproductive function: oestrous cycle:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Length and regularity of the estrous cycle were considered not to be affected by treatment. During pre-test and pre-mating, all females had regular cycles of 4 to 5 days. After start mating, extended di-estrus was observed in three females, i.e. one control female, one female at 150 mg/kg bw/day and one female at 500 mg/kg bw/day. In two of these females (the control and the mid dose female), the extended di-estrus was the result of an overlooked mating, because they were pregnant and ultimately gave birth to a litter. The extended di-estrus in the high dose female was considered a non-treatment related (temporary) disruption of the estrous cycle as it successfully paired at the end of the 14-day mating period.

Reproductive function: sperm measures:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

There were no morphological findings in the reproductive organs of either sex which could be attributed to the test item and stage aware evaluation of the testes did not show any indication for abnormal spermatogenesis.

Reproductive performance:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Mating index was considered not to be affected by treatment. The mating index was 100% for all groups. Precoital time was considered not to be affected by treatment. There were 2 out of 10 females of the control group, 1 out of 10 females at 50 mg/kg bw/day, 2 out of 10 females at 150 mg/kg bw/day and 2 out of 10 females at 500 mg/kg bw/day that were not pregnant. The number of implantation sites were considered not to be affected by treatment. The mean number of implantation sites were 11.5, 13.7, 13.1 and 12.5 for the controls and 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg bw/day treated females, respectively. Fertility index was not considered to be affected by treatment. The fertility indices were 80, 90, 80 and 80% for the control, 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg bw/day, respectively.

Relatively low fertility indices were obtained in this study for all groups, including controls when compared to the historical control data. It should be noted seven (out of nineteen) females that were recorded to have mated on Day 1 of the mating period, appeared to be nonpregnant. The mating was concluded based on the observation of sperm in the vaginal lavage of these females. However, examining these samples for estrous cycle evaluation (assessment of vaginal cytology) at a later stage could not confirm the presence of sperm or showed that they were not in the right stage of the estrous cycle for conception. Since these seven nonpregnant females were evenly distributed over the dose groups, i.e. two controls, one at 50 mg/kg bw/day, two at 150 mg/kg bw/day and two at 500 mg/kg bw/day, these non-pregnancies were not interpreted as results on reproduction in this study, but rather an incidental finding and of no toxicological significance.
No signs of difficult or prolonged parturition were noted among the pregnant females. Examination of cage debris of pregnant females revealed no signs of abortion or premature birth. No deficiencies in maternal care were observed.

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

150 mg/kg bw/day (actual dose received)

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

female

Basis for effect level:

other: Multi focal necrosis in the mesenteric lymph nodes in 1/10 females at 500 mg/kg bw/day

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Effect level:

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

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male

Basis for effect level:

other: No adverse effects seen at highest dose tested (500 mg/kg bw/day)

Key result

Critical effects observed:

yes

Lowest effective dose / conc.:

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

System:

other: lymphatic system

Organ:

mesenteric lymph node

Treatment related:

yes

Dose response relationship:

yes

Relevant for humans:

yes

Clinical signs:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No clinical signs occurred among pups that were considered to be related to treatment. For one pup at 50 mg/kg bw/day that had to be sacrificed in extremis on PND 1, absence of milk in the stomach was noted at first and last litter check. The nature and incidence of this and other clinical signs remained within the range considered normal for pups of this age and were, therefore, not considered to be toxicologically relevant.

Mortality / viability:

no mortality observed

Description (incidence and severity):

The number of live offspring on Day 4 before culling compared to the number of offspring on Day 1 was not considered affected by treatment. The viability indices were 99% at 50 mg/kg bw/day and 100% for the other groups. One pup at 50 mg/kg bw/day had to be sacrificed in extremis on PND 1 since it presented with pale skin and laboured breathing. Because of this single incidence, it was considered not related to treatment and of no toxicological relevance.
The number of live offspring on Day 13 after littering compared to the number of live offspring on Day 4 (after culling) was not considered to be affected by treatment. The lactation indices were 98% for the control group and 100% for the treated groups. One pup in the control group had to be sacrificed in extremis on PND 13 since it presented with gasping and haemorrhage in the nose region. Because of this single incidence, it was considered not related to treatment and of no toxicological relevance.

Body weight and weight changes:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Body weights of pups were not considered to be affected by treatment. The variation in mean body weights of male and female pups on PND 1 between the dose groups corresponded with the variation in litter size in each group. The statistical significance apparent for the body weight of the male and female pups at 50 mg/kg bw/day was therefore considered to have occurred by chance and not related to treatment. As the growth of the pups in litters of all groups was comparable no toxicological significance was attached to the statistical significance.

Clinical biochemistry findings:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

Serum T4 levels in male and female PND 14-16 pups were not considered to be affected by treatment.

Gross pathological findings:

no effects observed

Description (incidence and severity):

No macroscopic findings were noted among pups that were considered to be related to treatment. The nature and incidence of macroscopic findings remained within the range considered normal for pups of this age and were, therefore, not considered to be related to treatment. For the pup of one female at 50 mg/kg bw/day that had to be sacrificed in extremis on PND 1, absence of milk in the stomach was noted at necropsy.

Key result

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

Generation:

F1

Effect level:

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

Based on:

test mat.

Sex:

male/female

Basis for effect level:

other: No adverse effects seen up to and at the highest dose tested (500 mg/kg bw/day)

Key result

Critical effects observed:

no

Key result

Reproductive effects observed:

no

Conclusions:

Based on the results of a 28 day repeated dose study with screening for reproduction and developmental effects, the parental NOAEL was found to be 150 mg/kg bw/day. The NOAEL for reproduction was established to be at least 500 mg/kg bw/day.

Executive summary:

A combined 28 day repeated dose study with screening for reproductive and/ or developmental effects was performed according to OECD/EC guidelines and GLP principles. Sodium Cocopropylenediamine Propionate was administered by daily oral gavage to male and female rats at dose levels of 50, 150 and 500 mg/kg bw/day. Males were exposed for 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, and up to termination (for 29 days). Females that delivered offspring were treated for 2 weeks prior to mating, during mating, during post-coitum, and at least 13-15 days of lactation (for 60-70 days). Females that failed to deliver pups were treated for 40-42 days. In females at 150 mg/kg bw/day and in both females and males at 500 mg/kg bw/day , test item-related microscopic findings were observed in the mesenteric lymph node. These findings consisted of foamy macrophage foci at 150 mg/kg bw/day in females and at 500 mg/kg bw/day in males and females which were considered non-adverse, and of multifocal necrosis in a single female at 500 mg/kg bw/day which was considered adverse.

No reproduction toxicity was observed up to the highest dose level tested (500 mg/kg bw/day). No treatment-related changes were noted in any of the reproductive parameters investigated in this study (i.e. mating and fertility indices, precoital time, number of implantations, estrous cycle, spermatogenic profiling and histopathological examination of reproductive organs).

Based on the adverse effects on mesenteric lymph nodes (seen in 1/10 females) at 500 mg/ kg bw/ day, a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for Sodium cocopropylenediamine propionate of 150 mg/kg bw/ day was established. The NOAEL for reproduction was established to be at least 500 mg/kg bw/day, as no adverse effects were seen up to and at this dose level.

Effect on fertility: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

500 mg/kg bw/day

Study duration:

subacute

Species:

rat

Quality of whole database:

The study is Klimisch 1, as it is GLP compliant and to the current OECD guideline, the test substance is full characterised.

Effect on fertility: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Quality of whole database:

Inhalation testing is waived as an inhalation DNEL can be calculated from the oral NOAEL following ECHA guidelines therefore a repeat dose inhalation study is not justified due to the additional use of animals.

β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt manufactured as a ca. 30% solution in water. Inhalation is not an expected route of exposure for the product as it is handed as a liquid and Ethanol, 2, 2-iminobis-N-tallow alkyl derivatives, N-oxides is not volatile. As ECHA guidelines allows the calculation of inhalation DNELs from the oral repeat dose NOAEL where it assumes 50% absorption orally and 100% by inhalation, this conservative approach should ensure a sufficiently conservative DNEL to be calculated to protect against any incidental exposure to aerosols containing β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt. It is therefore not scientifically justified to conduct and additional inhalation repeat exposure study in animals.

Effect on fertility: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Quality of whole database:

A modern fully GLP compliant OECD422 oral study is available. ECHA guidelines allow the calculation of dermal DNELS based on the oral NOAEL, which is a conservative approach as oral absorption is expected to be greater than dermal due to it high water solubility. Therefore, a Dermal repeat dose study in not justified. This avoids the unnecessary use of additional animals.

Effects on developmental toxicity

Description of key information

There is a new fully GLP compliant study on β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt according to OECD guideline 422 (2016). This is a repeat dose study and a reproduction and development screening gavage dosing study in rats. 

Effect on developmental toxicity: via oral route

Endpoint conclusion:

no adverse effect observed

Dose descriptor:

NOAEL

500 mg/kg bw/day

Study duration:

subacute

Species:

rat

Quality of whole database:

The study is Klimisch 1, as it is GLP compliant and to the current OECD guideline, the test substance is full characterised.

Effect on developmental toxicity: via inhalation route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Quality of whole database:

Inhalation testing is waived as an inhalation DNEL can be calculated from the oral NOAEL following ECHA guidelines therefore a repeat dose inhalation study is not justified due to the additional use of animals.

β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt manufactured as a ca. 30% solution in water. Inhalation is not an expected route of exposure for the product as it is handed as a liquid and Ethanol, 2, 2-iminobis-N-tallow alkyl derivatives, N-oxides is not volatile. As ECHA guidelines allows the calculation of inhalation DNELs from the oral repeat dose NOAEL where it assumes 50% absorption orally and 100% by inhalation, this conservative approach should ensure a sufficiently conservative DNEL to be calculated to protect against any incidental exposure to aerosols containing β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt. It is therefore not scientifically justified to conduct and additional inhalation repeat exposure study in animals.

Effect on developmental toxicity: via dermal route

Endpoint conclusion:

no study available

Quality of whole database:

A modern fully GLP compliant OECD422 oral study is available. ECHA guidelines allow the calculation of dermal DNELS based on the oral NOAEL, which is a conservative approach as oral absorption is expected to be greater than dermal due to it high water solubility. Therefore, a Dermal repeat dose study in not justified. This avoids the unnecessary use of additional animals.

Mode of Action Analysis / Human Relevance Framework

In the OECD 422 study on β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt no adverse effects were seen on any of reproductive parameters or on the development of the offspring. The NOAEL for effects on reproduction or development was therefore the top dose of 500mg/kg . Therefore there is no mode of action to discuss and no human relevant adverse effects were observed.

Justification for classification or non-classification

There were no adverse effects seen in the OECD 422 study on β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt on reproduction or development even at the top dose of 500 mg/kg bodyweight per day. Based on this there is no data to indicate that β-Alanine, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-N-[3-[(2-carboxyethyl)amino]propyl]-, N-C12-18-alkyl derivs., trisodium salt produced any effects that would need a classification for toxicity to reproduction or development.