Dibasic esters (DBE) are a mixture of 3 carboxylic acid esters which a
re used in the paint and coatings industry. In this study, groups of p
regnant Crl:CD(R)BR rats were exposed to either 0.16, 0.4, or 1.0 mg D
BE/L by inhalation for 6 hr/day from Days 7 through 16 of gestation (d
ay in which copulation plug was detected was designated Day 1G). A con
trol group of chambered pregnant rats was exposed simultaneously to ai
r only. All female rats were euthanized on Day 21G and the fetuses wer
e examined. A suppression of both food consumption and the rate of bod
y weight gain was seen in the 0.4 and 1.0 mg/L groups during the first
6 exposure days. Staining on the fur and perineal area was seen in ra
ts exposed to 1.0 mg/L and liver weight decreases, although not statis
tically significant, occurred in the 2 high exposure groups. None of t
he reproductive parameters were altered in any of the groups and no fe
tal effects were detected. DBE is not a developmental toxin in the rat
following inhalation exposures as high as 1.0 mg DBE/L during the per
iod of organogenesis.