Ocular thrombosis and retinal degeneration induced in female F344 rats by 2-butoxyethanol

2-butoxyethanol, used extensively for domestic and industrial purposes, was tested in our experiments for its potential to cause damage to female rat ocular tissues. Female rats were previously found to be particularly sensit ive to 2-butoxyethanol. A group of eight female F344 rats (2 - 3 months old ) were exposed by gavage to 250 mg of 2-butoxyethanol/kg b.w. per day for 3 consecutive days and sacrificed 24 h after the last dose. Eight female rat s received the dosing vehicle (water) and served as controls. At necropsy, petechial hemorrhages were noted on the sclera. Microscopic ex amination revealed treatment-related effects in the eyes, in addition to ot her known effects of BE exposure such as disseminated thrombosis and necros is and infarction in various organs. The spectrum of histopathological chan ges noted in the eyes included hemorrhages localized in the posterior layer s of time retina, leading to photoreceptor degeneration. Thrombi were ident ified in ciliary processes and limbal blood vessels. Histological changes s uggestive of the retinal ischemic-infarctive process were also noted. Possi ble pathogenic mechanisms of 2-butoxyethanol-induced retinopathy are discus sed.