A subchronic inhalation study on the toxicologic potential of ethylene oxide in B6C3F1 mice. 1984

W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot

Four groups of B6C3F1 mice, each containing 30 per sex, were exposed to ethylene oxide (EtO) vapor at target concentrations of 250, 100, 50, 10, or 0 ppm which are equivalent to 450, 180, 90, 18, and 0 mg/m3, respectively. The actual mean chamber concentrations were 236, 104, 48, 10, and 0 ppm, respectively. After an exposure regimen of 6 hr per day, 5 days per week, for 10 weeks (males), or 11 weeks (females), urine and blood samples were taken for clinical pathologic evaluation and selected tissues were weighed and examined by light microscopy. Statistically significant findings that could be indicative of a toxic response were observed in the 250-ppm exposure group. These included minimal changes in certain erythroid parameters, increased liver weight, decreased testicular weight, and decreased spleen weight which was noted also in the 100-ppm group. However, there were no microscopic findings to support or explain any of these apparently treatment-related effects. Results of a neuromuscular screening test indicated that certain reflex responses and locomotor activities were altered in the EtO-exposed animals. A dose-related trend of response in the 250-, 100-, and 50-ppm exposure groups was noted in the evaluation of locomotor function; however, because of the small sample size, it was not possible to determine a threshold concentration for this effect. There were no accompanying histopathologic alterations in muscle and central or peripheral nervous tissue.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009468 Neuromuscular Diseases A general term encompassing lower MOTOR NEURON DISEASE; PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES; and certain MUSCULAR DISEASES. Manifestations include MUSCLE WEAKNESS; FASCICULATION; muscle ATROPHY; SPASM; MYOKYMIA; MUSCLE HYPERTONIA, myalgias, and MUSCLE HYPOTONIA. Amyotonia Congenita,Oppenheim Disease,Cramp-Fasciculation Syndrome,Fasciculation-Cramp Syndrome, Benign,Foley-Denny-Brown Syndrome,Oppenheim's Disease,Benign Fasciculation-Cramp Syndrome,Benign Fasciculation-Cramp Syndromes,Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome,Cramp-Fasciculation Syndromes,Fasciculation Cramp Syndrome, Benign,Fasciculation-Cramp Syndromes, Benign,Foley Denny Brown Syndrome,Neuromuscular Disease,Oppenheims Disease,Syndrome, Cramp-Fasciculation,Syndrome, Foley-Denny-Brown,Syndromes, Cramp-Fasciculation
D009929 Organ Size The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness. Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D001772 Blood Cell Count The number of LEUKOCYTES and ERYTHROCYTES per unit volume in a sample of venous BLOOD. A complete blood count (CBC) also includes measurement of the HEMOGLOBIN; HEMATOCRIT; and ERYTHROCYTE INDICES. Blood Cell Number,Blood Count, Complete,Blood Cell Counts,Blood Cell Numbers,Blood Counts, Complete,Complete Blood Count,Complete Blood Counts,Count, Blood Cell,Count, Complete Blood,Counts, Blood Cell,Counts, Complete Blood,Number, Blood Cell,Numbers, Blood Cell
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005027 Ethylene Oxide A colorless and flammable gas at room temperature and pressure. Ethylene oxide is a bactericidal, fungicidal, and sporicidal disinfectant. It is effective against most micro-organisms, including viruses. It is used as a fumigant for foodstuffs and textiles and as an agent for the gaseous sterilization of heat-labile pharmaceutical and surgical materials. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p794) Oxirane,Oxide, Ethylene
D005260 Female Females
D005740 Gases The vapor state of matter; nonelastic fluids in which the molecules are in free movement and their mean positions far apart. Gases tend to expand indefinitely, to diffuse and mix readily with other gases, to have definite relations of volume, temperature, and pressure, and to condense or liquefy at low temperatures or under sufficient pressure. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)
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
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

Related Publications

W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
March 1992, Journal of UOEH,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
August 2011, Toxicologic pathology,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
January 1993, Journal of toxicology and environmental health,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
November 1987, National Toxicology Program technical report series,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
January 1994, Eisei Shikenjo hokoku. Bulletin of National Institute of Hygienic Sciences,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
February 1988, Fundamental and applied toxicology : official journal of the Society of Toxicology,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
December 2013, Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology,
W M Snellings, and C S Weil, and R R Maronpot
October 1996, Toxicology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!