THE DETECTION OF SUBCHRONIC TESTICULAR DAMAGE USING URINARY CREATINE - STUDIES WITH 2-METHOXYETHANOL

We have previously shown that a number of testicular toxicants adminis tered acutely to rats raise urinary creatine. The aim of this study wa s to determine if this creatinuria was maintained during subchronic te sticular damage. Repeated exposure of rats to 2-methoxyethanol for 10 days administered in the drinking water caused significant testicular damage at the highest dose. The urinary creatine:creatinine ratio was significantly increased in the animals receiving the highest dose (220 mg/kg per day) and also those receiving doses of 87 mg/kg per day. In creases in the ratio seen after the lowest dose (43 mg/kg per day) wer e significant in some cases, but showed more variability. Relative tes ticular weight was only significantly reduced after the highest dose. Increases in body weight over the time of exposure were only significa ntly lower after the highest dose of 2-methoxyethanol. The results ind icate that urinary creatine may be a useful biomarker for chronic test icular damage.