Ethyl t-butyl ether: review of reproductive and developmental toxicity. 2010

Ann de Peyster
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182, USA. adepeyst@mail.sdsu.edu

Ethyl t-butyl ether (ETBE) is a motor fuel oxygenate used in reformulated gasoline. Knowledge of developmental and reproductive toxicity potential of ETBE is critical for making informed decisions about acceptance and regulations. This review discusses toxicology studies providing information about effects on reproduction and the conceptus. Seven GLP-compliant studies following widely accepted protocols have focused specifically on developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) in rats and rabbits exposed to ETBE by gavage with doses up to 1,000 mg/kg body weight/day, the limit specified in standardized test guidelines. Other repeat-dose general toxicology studies have administered ETBE to rodents for up to 180 days, and included reproductive organ weights, histology, or other indications of reproductive system structure or function. DART potential of the main ETBE metabolite t-butyl alcohol and class-related MTBE has also been studied. More GLP-compliant studies exist for evaluating ETBE using well-established, currently recommended protocols than are available for many other chemicals used today. The database for determining ETBE DART potential is adequate, although not all study details are currently easily accessible for peer-review. ETBE does not appear to be selectively toxic to reproduction or embryofetal development in the absence of other manifestations of general toxicity. Studies using recommended methods for sample preservation and analysis have shown no targeted effect on the reproductive system. No embryofetal effects were observed in rabbits. Early postnatal rat pup deaths show no clear dose-response and have largely been attributed to total litter losses with accompanying evidence of maternal neglect or frank maternal morbidity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008738 Methyl Ethers A group of compounds that contain the general formula R-OCH3. Ethers, Methyl
D012098 Reproduction The total process by which organisms produce offspring. (Stedman, 25th ed) Human Reproductive Index,Human Reproductive Indexes,Reproductive Period,Human Reproductive Indices,Index, Human Reproductive,Indexes, Human Reproductive,Indices, Human Reproductive,Period, Reproductive,Periods, Reproductive,Reproductive Index, Human,Reproductive Indices, Human,Reproductive Periods
D005019 Ethyl Ethers Organic compounds having ethyl groups bound to an oxygen atom. Ethoxy Compounds,Compounds, Ethoxy,Ethers, Ethyl
D005260 Female Females
D005333 Fetus The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN. Fetal Structures,Fetal Tissue,Fetuses,Mummified Fetus,Retained Fetus,Fetal Structure,Fetal Tissues,Fetus, Mummified,Fetus, Retained,Structure, Fetal,Structures, Fetal,Tissue, Fetal,Tissues, Fetal
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D047108 Embryonic Development Morphological and physiological development of EMBRYOS. Embryo Development,Embryogenesis,Postimplantation Embryo Development,Preimplantation Embryo Development,Embryonic Programming,Post-implantation Embryo Development,Postnidation Embryo Development,Postnidation Embryo Development, Animal,Pre-implantation Embryo Development,Prenidation Embryo Development, Animal,Development, Embryo,Development, Embryonic,Development, Postnidation Embryo,Embryo Development, Post-implantation,Embryo Development, Postimplantation,Embryo Development, Postnidation,Embryo Development, Pre-implantation,Embryo Development, Preimplantation,Embryonic Developments,Embryonic Programmings,Post implantation Embryo Development,Pre implantation Embryo Development
D020002 tert-Butyl Alcohol An isomer of butanol that contains a tertiary butyl group that consists of three methyl groups, each separately attached to a central (tertiary) carbon. t-Butanol,tert-Butanol,tertiary-Butyl Alcohol,Alcohol, tert-Butyl,Alcohol, tertiary-Butyl,t Butanol,tert Butanol,tert Butyl Alcohol,tertiary Butyl Alcohol

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