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Two‐generation reproduction study on commercial hexane solvent
Author(s) -
Daughtrey Wayne C.,
NeeperBradley Teresa,
Duffy Jeffrey,
Haddock Linda,
Keenan Thomas,
Kirwin Carroll,
Soiefer Andrew
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.2550140512
Subject(s) - breed , litter , zoology , reproduction , lactation , offspring , hexane , biology , occupational exposure limit , body weight , gestation , toxicology , physiology , chemistry , pregnancy , medicine , endocrinology , occupational exposure , chromatography , ecology , genetics , medical emergency , agronomy
Abstract The reproductive effects of inhalation exposure to commercial hexane vapors were evaluated in Sprague‐Dawley rats. Males and females were exposed to commercial hexane vapor at target concentrations of 0, 900, 3000 or 9000 ppm for 6 h a day, 5 or 7 days a week, over two generations. In addition to pre‐breed exposures of 10 weeks' duration, exposures continued through mating, gestation and lactation. At both the F 0 breed to produce F 1 litters and the F 1 breed to produce F 2 litters, reproductive parameters were unaffected by commercial hexane exposure. The mating, fertility and gestational indices, as well as litter size and postnatal survival, were not significantly different between exposure groups. However, reductions in body weight and body weight gain were observed in both F 1 and F 2 litters exposed to 9000 ppm. Effects on body weight were not observed in offspring exposed to the two lower concentrations of commercial hexane. Histopathological examination of selected tissues revealed hyaline droplet nephropathy in adult F 0 and F 1 males exposed to 9000 ppm. This finding was anticipated and is not believed to be relevant for the assessment of human health effects. No other treatment‐related histopathological lesions were observed. Thus, exposure of rats to commercial hexane for two generations resulted in reduced body weight gains at 9000 ppm but no adverse effects on reproduction. These findings suggest that occupational exposure to commercial hexane vapors at currently recommended threshold limit value concentrations (i.e. TLV for n ‐hexane is 50 ppm and TLV for other hexane isomers is 500 ppm) should not pose a reproductive hazard.