DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF INHALED ETHYLENE-OXIDE IN RATS FOLLOWING SHORT-DURATION EXPOSURE

The developmental toxicity of ethylene oxide (EtO) was examined in Spr ague-Dawley rats following inhalation exposure during Days 6 to 15 of gestation. Two different exposure regimens were used: (1) exposure for 0.5 hr once a day to 0, 400, 800, or 1200 ppm EtO; or (2) exposure fo r 0.5 hr three times a day to 0, 200, or 400 ppm EtO or 0, 800, or 120 0 ppm EtO. Repeated brief exposures (3 X 0.5 hr/day) to EtO caused fet al toxicity indicated by reduced fetal weight at 800 and 1200 ppm, and overt maternal toxicity manifested as reduced body weight gain at 120 0 ppm. Neither embryolethality nor teratogenicity occurred following a ny exposure regimen. (C) 1996 Society of Toxicology.