The toxicities of ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE) were studied in Fischer 344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. In a 13-week study, EG was administered in feed to groups of 10 rats and 10 mice of both sexes at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.32, 0.63, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0%. Kidney/body weight ratios were elevated in the 2.5 and 5.0% dose groups of male and female rats relative to controls, while serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were elevated in the two highest dose groups of male rats. Toxic nephrosis and crystal deposits in renal tubules were observed in the 2.5 and 5.0% dose groups of male rats. Crystals were also observed in brains of male rats in the 5.0% dose group. Nephrosis was the only lesion observed in female rats (5.0% dose group). Mild, compound-related lesions were seen in kidneys (nephrosis) and livers (centrilobular degeneration) of male mice in the 2.5 and 5.0% dose groups. There were no adverse effects observed in female mice. Groups of 50 rats and 50 mice of both sexes were administered EGEE by gavage in a 2-year study at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg body weight. Testicular atrophy was observed in male rats that died early in this study and in the medium- and high-dose male mouse groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)