Developmental and reproductive toxicity evaluation of toluene vapor in the rat

Reproductive Toxicology and Teratology of Abused Toluene

“…These concentrations might approximate abuse levels of exposure, although the whole-body inhalation for 6 h per day for 80 days before mating, and then for 15 days of mating, does not. With these exposure patterns to males or females, there were no significant effects on fertility or reproductive performance, but fetal growth was significantly affected [Roberts et al 2003]. A similar pattern of exposure used by Ono et al [1996] also had no effect on fertility, but these studies do not model patterns of exposure typical of solvent abuse.…”

“…In a multigenerational study in Sprague-Dawley rats, Roberts et al [2003] used concentrations up to 2,000 ppm. These concentrations might approximate abuse levels of exposure, although the whole-body inhalation for 6 h per day for 80 days before mating, and then for 15 days of mating, does not.…”

“…No significant differences were found in gestation length, litter size, or litter sex ratios [Bowen et al 2005]. Long-term toluene exposure up to 2,000 ppm before and during pregnancy inhibited growth in fetuses and offspring [Roberts et al 2003]. Follow-up assessments of children exposed prenatally to toluene have shown that children up to 3 years old have continual delays in postnatal growth [Hersh et al 1985;Hersh 1989;Arnold et al 1994;Pearson et al 1994;Arai et al 1997].…”

“…In another study, pregnant female SpragueDawley rats were exposed to concentrations of inhaled toluene up to 2,000 ppm for 6 h/day for 95 days before and during mating, throughout gestation, and until weaning at PND21 [Roberts et al 2003]. While the highest concentration tested (2,000 ppm) had no effect on maternal weight gain, this concentration significantly inhibited the growth of offspring and produced a slight increase in the rate of skeletal abnormalities while lower concentrations of toluene were without effect (100 ppm or 500 ppm).…”

“…While the highest concentration tested (2,000 ppm) had no effect on maternal weight gain, this concentration significantly inhibited the growth of offspring and produced a slight increase in the rate of skeletal abnormalities while lower concentrations of toluene were without effect (100 ppm or 500 ppm). The long-term toluene exposure to 2,000 ppm produced more frequent skeletal variations, in particular rudimentary 14th ribs and unossified 5th and/or 6th sternebrae [Roberts et al 2003]. Both pre-and post-natal exposures to toluene have also been shown to result in neurobehavioral effects in the offspring of rodents.…”