DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF OTTO FUEL-II IN THE RAT AND RABBIT

OTTO Fuel II (OFII) is a propellent used by the United States Navy in its Mk 46 and Mk 48 torpedoes. Owing to the possibility of human expos ure during fueling and defueling operations, studies were initiated to determine if OFII was a developmental toxin. Phase I of the investiga tion involved dosing four groups of time-mated Fischer-344 rats with O FII. The fuel was administered dermally at the rate of 0, 400, 2000 an d 4000 mg kg-1 day-1. A significant reduction in body weight was seen at necropsy in dams receiving 2000 and 4000 mg kg-1 day-1 of OFII. Fet uses from these dams also weighed significantly less than control fetu ses. Phase II of the investigation involved dosing of artificially ins eminated rabbits with OFII. The fuel was administered to the skin of t he animal's back at the rate of 0, 100, 316 and 1000 mg kg-1 day-1. Ma ternal toxicity was evidenced by a significant reduction in body weigh t of the dams in the 1000 mg kg-1 day-1 dose group on days 20 and 25 o f gestation. There were no significant differences observed in materna l weight or fetal weight at necropsy. Morphological examination of bot h rat and rabbit fetuses failed to reveal significant evidence of feta l malformations.