Teratologic Evaluation of Inhaled Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether in Rats and Rabbits

Teratologic Evaluation of Inhaled Propylene Glycol MonomethylEther in Rats and Rabbits. HANLEY, T. R. JR., CALHOUN, L. L.,YANO, B. L, AND RAO, K. S. (1984). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 4,784–794. Pregnant Fischer 344 rats and New Zealand Whiterabbits were exposed via inhalation to 0, 500, 1500, or 3000ppm of propylene glycol raonomethji ether (PGME) for 6 hr/dayon Days 6 through 15 (rats) or 6 through 18 (rabbits) of gestation.Initial exposure to 3000 ppm of PGME produced signs of mildcentral nervous system depression which were more pronouncedand of a longer duration in rats than in rabbits. Postexposurerecovery was rapid and accomodation to the test atmosphere developedfollowing subsequent exposures. Rats and rabbits exposed to3000 ppm had decreased weight gains over the exposure periodand rats had decreased food consumption during the first 3 daysof exposure. Fetal examination revealed no embryotoxic or teratogenkeffects among rats or rabbits in any exposure group. Slightfetotoxicity among rats, in the form of delayed sternebral ossification,was observed at 3000 ppm. Thus, it was concluded that PGME wasnot teratogenic at exposure levels up to 3000 ppm.