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Toxicological information

Developmental toxicity / teratogenicity

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Administrative data

Endpoint:
developmental toxicity
Type of information:
experimental study
Adequacy of study:
key study
Study period:
2018-12-03 to 2019-12-23
Reliability:
1 (reliable without restriction)
Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
guideline study

Data source

Reference
Reference Type:
study report
Title:
Unnamed
Year:
2018
Report date:
2019

Materials and methods

Test guideline
Qualifier:
according to guideline
Guideline:
other: OECD 422
Version / remarks:
OECD Guideline 422 (Combined Repeated Dose Toxicity Study with the Reproduction / Developmental Toxicity Screening Test)
GLP compliance:
yes (incl. QA statement)
Limit test:
no

Test material

Constituent 1
Chemical structure
Reference substance name:
Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
EC Number:
202-785-7
EC Name:
Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Cas Number:
99-76-3
Molecular formula:
C8H8O3
IUPAC Name:
methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Test material form:
solid: particulate/powder
Details on test material:
CAS No: 99-76-3
Melting point: 127 °C
Purity: 99.8 % (=<0.1 % p-HBA and =< 0.1 % unspecified impurity)
Date of Expiry: 29.11.2020

Test animals

Species:
rat
Strain:
Wistar
Details on test animals or test system and environmental conditions:
Test System
Species/strain: healthy Wistar rats, Crl: WI(Han) (Full Barrier)
Source: Charles River, 97633 Sulzfeld, Germany
Sex: male and female; the female animals were non-pregnant and nulliparous
Age at the start of the treatment period: approx. 14-15 weeks old
Body weight at the allocation of the animals to the experimental groups:
males: 326 – 398 g (mean: 360.0 g, ± 20 % = 288.0 – 432.0 g)
females: 207 – 258 g (mean: 227.2 g, ± 20 % = 181.8 – 272.6 g)
The animals were derived from a controlled full-barrier maintained breeding system (SPF). According to the German Act on Animal Welfare the animals were bred for experimental purposes.
This study was performed in an AAALAC-accredited laboratory. According to German animal protection law, the study type has been reviewed and accepted by local authorities.
Furthermore, the study has been subjected to Ethical Review Process and was authorised by the Bavarian animal welfare administration.

Housing and Feeding Conditions
- Full barrier in an air-conditioned room
- Temperature: 22 +/- 3 °C
- Relative humidity: 55 +/- 10 %
- Artificial light, sequence being 12 hours light, 12 hours dark
- Air change: 10 x / hour
- Free access to Altromin 1324 maintenance diet for rats and mice
- Free access to tap water, sulphur acidified to a pH of approximately 2.8 (drinking water, municipal residue control, microbiological controls at regular intervals)
- Animals were housed in groups of 5 animals / sex / cage in type IV polysulphone cages or in double decker IVC cages during the premating period for both males and females (both parental and F1)
and during post-mating period for males (parental and F1) depending on the mating status. During mating period males and females (parental and F1) were housed together in ratio 1:1 (male to female).
After the confirmation of mating, females were kept individually during gestation/lactation period in type III H, polysulphone cages and males (parental and F1) were returned to their original cage.
In each cage Altromin saw fibre was used as bedding.
- Makrolon tunnels were provided for all males and for females until GD 18
- Nesting material were provided latest on GD 18 for all mated females
- Certificates of food, water and bedding are filed for two years at BSL Munich and afterwards archived at Eurofins Munich
- Adequate acclimatisation period (at least 5 days) under laboratory conditions

Number and Sex of the Animals
80 animals (40 males and 40 females) were included in the study.

Preparation of the Animals
Prior to the start of the treatment period a detailed clinical observation outside the home cage was made. Only healthy animals were used for the study.
Before dosing all females were screened for two weeks for regular oestrous cyclicity and animals (10 females/ group) with regular oestrous cycle (4-5 day cycle)
were used in the study. Before the first administration all animals to be used for the study were weighed and assigned to the experimental groups with achieving
a most homogenous variation in body weight throughout the groups of males and females, respectively (randomisation was performed with IDBS Workbook 10.1.2 software).
Each animal was marked with its identification number by individual ear tattoo or tail marking.



Administration / exposure

Route of administration:
oral: gavage
Vehicle:
other: 1 % hydroxyethyl-cellulose / aqua ad injectionem
Remarks:
hydroxyethyl-cellulose: Manufacturer: Sigma-Aldrich, Batch No.: MKCD0421, Expiry Date: 05 November 2019 aqua ad injectionem: Manufacturer: Deltamedica, Batch No.: 806148, Expiry Date: May 2021 (each bottle was used for up to one week)
Details on exposure:
The vehicle has been selected in consultation with the sponsor based on the test item’s characteristics.
Based on the results of stability testing (Eurofins Munich Study No. 187385), the test item formulations were prepared at least every 4 days as given by Eurofins Munich Study No. 187385.
The prepared formulation was stored at room temperature.
The test item, as delivered, was grinded before formulation preparation. Afterwards, the test item was weighed into a tared plastic vial on a suitable precision balance and coated
with approx. 1/3 of the target volume with 1 % aqueous hydroxyethyl-cellulose, the vehicle used in this study. After producing slurry with the glass rod for 1 minute,
the rest of the vehicle was added to give the appropriate final concentration. The formulation was then stirred until visual homogeneity was achieved (at least 30 min).
Formulates were kept under magnetic stirring during the daily administration. The vehicle was also used as control item.

In consultation with the sponsor the following doses were selected for the 3 dose groups (LD = low dose, MD = medium dose, HD = high dose) and 1 control group (C).
The animals were treated with the test item formulation or vehicle on 7 days per week for a maximum period of 63 days in females, i.e. during 14 days of pre-mating
and maximum 14 days of mating in both males and females, during the gestation period and up to post-natal day 12 in females.
Males were dosed after the mating period until the minimum total dosing period of 28 days is completed.

Control: 0 mg/kg/d
Low Dose: 100 mg/kg/d
Medium Dose: 300 mg/kg/d
High Dose: 1000 mg/kg/d


The highest dose level was chosen with the aim of inducing toxic effects, but no death or severe suffering.
Thereafter, a descending sequence of dose levels was selected with a view to demonstrate any dosage related response and NOAEL.
The animals in the control group were handled in an identical manner to the test group subjects and received the vehicle using the same volume as used for the high dose group.

The test item and vehicle were administered at a single dose to the animals by oral gavage. The application volume for all groups was 5 mL/kg body weight.
For each animal the individual dosing volume was calculated on the basis of the body weight most recently measured.








Analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
yes
Details on analytical verification of doses or concentrations:
Before beginning of the treatment period, formulation samples were prepared and analysed in order to obtain knowledge about stability
and homogeneity of the test item in the selected vehicle at Eurofins Munich as part of a separate GLP study (Eurofins Munich Study No. 187385).
Prestart homogeneity investigation was included on the samples collected from various levels (top, middle and bottom) of high dose and low dose groups.
The test item was not shown to be homogenous according to Eurofins Study No. 187385. Therefore, samples were taken from the top, middle
and bottom of prepared formulations from all dose groups and from the middle of the control group in study week 1 (pre-mating period),
3 (first week of mating), 5 (gestation) and in the last week of the study (gestation / lactation) (40 samples).
Each sample taken during the study was retained in duplicate (sample A, sample B, each of at least 3 mL). The A-samples were analysed at Eurofins Munich
(Eurofins Munich Study Phase No. 187386) and until then stored under appropriate conditions based on available stability data.
The B-samples were retained at below 15 °C at BSL Munich (test facility) and discarded after completion of the final study report.
Details on mating procedure:
Mating was performed using a ratio of 1:1 (male to female). The vaginal smear of the females was checked every morning after the start of the mating period to confirm the mating.
If the vaginal smear of a particular female was not found to be sperm-positive, the actual stage of the oestrous cycle on that day was documented.
The day of the vaginal plug and/or sperm was considered as day 0 of gestation.
The cages were arranged in such a way that possible effects due to cage placement were minimised.
Duration of treatment / exposure:
The animals were treated with the test item formulation or vehicle on 7 days per week for a maximum period of 63 days in females, i.e. during 14 days of pre-mating and maximum 14 days of mating in both males
and females, during the gestation period and up to post-natal day 12 in females. Males were dosed after the mating period until the minimum total dosing period of 28 days is completed.
Frequency of treatment:
daily
Doses / concentrationsopen allclose all
Dose / conc.:
0 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Dose / conc.:
100 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Dose / conc.:
300 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Dose / conc.:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
No. of animals per sex per dose:
80 animals (40 males and 40 females) were included in the study. 10 male and 10 female animals per group.
Control animals:
yes, concurrent vehicle

Results and discussion

Results: maternal animals

General toxicity (maternal animals)

Clinical signs:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Moving the bedding was observed in 1/10 females of the control group, 2/10 females of the LD group, 1/10 females of the MD group and 10/10 females and 9/10 males of the HD group mostly in the second half of the treatment period. Increased salivation was noted transiently in 1/10 females of the MD group and in 5/10 males and females of the HD group. Both signs were observed in short timely relation to dose administration or in anticipation thereof and thus were considered to be a sign of discomfort or a local reaction to the test item. These slight signs were not considered as adverse systemic effects.
The clinical sign of piloerection was observed in 4/10 females of the control group, 4/10 females of the LD group, 8/10 females of the MD group, and 7/10 females of the HD group. Due to the absence of dose dependency and the occurrence of piloerection in control animals it was not considered toxicologically relevant. Low incidences of clinical signs without dose dependency (see Details on results P0 ) and thus are not considered test item-related.
Dermal irritation (if dermal study):
not examined
Mortality:
no mortality observed
Body weight and weight changes:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
The test item had no statistically significant effect on body weight or body weight change in male animals and body weights of female animals.
Mean body weight gain was slightly but statistically significantly lower in the female LD and female HD group compared to the controls during the first week of the gestation phase. However, without consistency between the groups, without dose dependency and occurrence during only one week of treatment this was not considered adverse. MD females showed no statistically significant differences in body weight change compared to control females. Further slight differences between the groups were within the normal range of variation throughout the treatment period of this study.
Food consumption and compound intake (if feeding study):
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
The test item had no toxicologically relevant effect on food consumption in male and female animals of this study.
Slightly but statistically significantly lower food consumption of females of the LD group compared to control females during the second week of gestation was not considered test item related as no differences in food consumption were observed between higher dose groups and the control group. Slightly lower food intake was seen in female animals of the HD group during the premating period. Without achieving statistical significance this is not considered to be an adverse effect.
Food efficiency:
not examined
Water consumption and compound intake (if drinking water study):
not examined
Ophthalmological findings:
not examined
Haematological findings:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
There was no statistically significant or biologically relevant effect of the test item on haematological parameters of male animals determined at the end of the treatment period of this study. Differences in haematological parameters between test item-treated groups and the corresponding controls followed no dose dependency and within historical control data and thus were not considered test item-related.
There were no statistically significant effects of the test item on coagulation parameters (PT, aPTT) of female animals and on the parameter aPTT of male animals at the end of the treatment period. PT was statistically significantly but slightly higher in males of the HD group compared to control males (13 % above control). However, without the incidence of other clinical findings or macroscopic findings at the time point of necropsy slightly higher PT value of the HD group was not assumed adverse.
Clinical biochemistry findings:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
In male animals, mean TBA showed a dose-dependent tendency towards lower TBA levels in test item-treated animals compared to the controls. However, without achieving statistical significance and without a corresponding effect in female animals this difference was not considered adverse. Other parameters of clinical biochemistry showed no statistically significant or biologically relevant differences between males treated with the test item and males of the control group. In female animals there were no statistically significant or biologically relevant differences in any of the parameters of clinical biochemistry when comparing test item treated animals with animals of the control group. The deviation of mean TBA level of HD females from control females (261% deviation from control) was not statistically significant and was mainly based on high TBA levels from two females of the HD group (female numbers 71 and 80) and was not considered adverse.
Urinalysis findings:
not examined
Behaviour (functional findings):
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
see Details on results P0
Immunological findings:
not examined
Organ weight findings including organ / body weight ratios:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Slight differences in the mean organ weights between test item-treated groups and the control group are not considered to be caused by treatment with Methyl 4 hydroxybenzoate as no test item related histopathological findings were observed in any of the organs.
Mean relative pituitary gland weight was slightly higher in the male HD group when compared to the control group (deviation from control: 14 %). However, due to the lack of dose dependency this was not considered to be adverse and toxicologically relevant.
Absolute (deviation from control: 21 %) and relative (deviation from control: 18 %) mean adrenal gland weight was statistically significantly lower in females of the MD group. However, this followed no dose dependency and is thereby not considered toxicologically relevant.
Gross pathological findings:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
Only single or occasional macroscopic findings were noted in the groups during necropsy of the animals. These are assumed to be incidental finings without relation to the test item. Findings were enlarged kidneys (bilateral) of LD male no. 13, small testes (bilateral) of MD male no. 27 and small seminal vesicles (left side) of control male no. 7. Without corresponding evidence in histopathological examination these macroscopic findings were not considered of toxicological relevance.
Neuropathological findings:
not examined
Histopathological findings: non-neoplastic:
effects observed, non-treatment-related
Description (incidence and severity):
There was no histological evidence of toxicity in the reproductive organs and tissues including testes, epididymides, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, coagulating glands, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina. No treatment-related effects on the testicular histomorphology and interstitial cell structure were noticed. The treatment with Methyl 4 hydroxybenzoate did not induce histomorphological effects in the reproductive organs of the non-pregnant females (animal nos. 65 and 67) and their pairing partners (animal nos. 25 and 27). Therefore, the histopathological NOEL (no observed effect level) may be established at 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
Histopathological findings: neoplastic:
not examined

Effect levels (maternal animals)

Key result
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
test mat.
Remarks on result:
not determinable due to absence of adverse toxic effects

Maternal abnormalities

Key result
Abnormalities:
no effects observed

Results (fetuses)

Details on embryotoxic / teratogenic effects:
Litter Data
There were no test item-related effects on litter data including total number of male and female pups, sex ratio and number of still births and runts.
There were no statistically significant differences noted for these litter parameters and the values were comparable between dose groups and control group.

Litter Weight Data
Treatment with the test item had no statistically significant or biologically relevant effects on litter weight data on PND 0, 4 and 13 when comparing
test item-treated groups and the controls. Differences between the groups followed no dose dependency and were within the normal range of variation
(range of historical control data (±2 fold SD): PND 0: 4.63-8.141, PND 4: 7.913-13.901, PND 13: 22.947-38.098).

Pup Survival Data
No test item-related effect on mean mortality of pups was observed between PND 0 and PND 4 and between PND 4 and 13 in treatment groups
when compared to the control group. Mortality of two pups in the control group was considered incidental.

Anogenital Distance and Nipple Retention
No differences of biological relevance were observed in anogenital distance of male and female pups on PND 0 and in nipple retention of male pups on PND 12
when comparing test item treated pups to pups of the control group.
However, mean male pup nipple retention was shown to be statistically significantly lower in the HD group compared to the control group.
As this value was within the normal range of variation (range of historical control data (±2 fold SD): -1.14-1.50), lower nipple retention in the HD group was not considered test item-related.
Female pups treated with the test item were observed with statistically significantly higher mean pup weight (control: 5.76, MD: 6.04) and mean cube root of
pup weight (control: 1.79, MD: 1.82) in the MD group and statistically significantly lower absolute (control: 1.31, LD: 1.07) and relative (control: 0.73, LD: 0.60)
anogenital distance in the LD group. Without occurrence of these differences in all groups and dose-dependency this was not considered adverse.


Thyroid Hormone (T4) Analysis and Thyroid/Parathyroid Weight
No test item-related effect of statistical significance was observed on pup thyroid weight and T4 level in PND 13 pups (male and female)
of the test item treated groups when compared to the controls.

Pup External Findings
Treatment with Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate caused no gross external pup findings in any of the test item-treated groups or the control group.
The single external finding of a dark tail in one pup of the LD was not considered test item-related.




Effect levels (fetuses)

Key result
Dose descriptor:
NOAEL
Effect level:
1 000 mg/kg bw/day (nominal)
Based on:
test mat.
Sex:
male/female
Remarks on result:
not determinable due to absence of adverse toxic effects

Fetal abnormalities

Key result
Abnormalities:
no effects observed

Overall developmental toxicity

Key result
Developmental effects observed:
no
Treatment related:
no

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:
On the basis of this combined repeated dose oral toxicity and reproduction/ developmental toxicity screening test with Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate in male and female Wistar rats with dose levels of 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg body weight day the following conclusions can be made:
No mortality and no clinical signs of systemic toxicity were observed in the animals of this study. Daily oral treatment with Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate had no effect on body weight and food consumption. At the end of the respective treatment periods of male and female animals there were no changes in clinical pathology results up to 1000 mg/kg bw/day and organ weights were inconspicuous. No relevant macroscopic and no histopathological abnormalities were observed in treated animals. Thus, the NOAEL for general toxicity is determined to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
No test item-related effects on the reproduction and developmental parameters analysed in this study, i.e. oestrous cycle, copulation, fertility and delivery indices, number of corpora lutea, implantation sites and live pups, pre- and post-implantation loss, number of male and female pups, sex ratio, still births, runts, litter weight data, anogenital distance, nipple retention and external abnormalities. Thus, the NOAEL for reproduction/developmental toxicity is determined to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day.
Executive summary:

The aim of this study was to assess the possible effects of Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate on male and female fertility and embryo-foetal development after repeated dose administration in Wistar rats.

The test item was administered daily in graduated doses to 3 groups of test animals, one dose level per group for a treatment period of 63 days, i.e. during 14 days of pre-mating and maximum 14 days of mating in both males and females, during the gestation period and up to post-natal day 12 in females. Males were dosed after the mating period until the minimum total dosing period of 28 days were completed. Animals of an additional control group were handled identically as the dose groups but received 1 % hydroxyethyl-cellulose (viscosity 80-125 cP, 2 % in water at 20 °C), the vehicle used in this study. The 4 groups comprised 10 male and 10 female Wistar rats. Before dosing all females were screened for two weeks for regular oestrous cyclicity and animals (10 females/group) with regular oestrous cycle (4-5 day cycle) were used in the study.

The following doses were evaluated:

Control:                    0 mg/kg body weight

Low Dose:            100 mg/kg body weight

Medium Dose:      300 mg/kg body weight

High Dose:         1000 mg/kg body weight

The test item formulation was prepared at least every 4 days. The test item was suspended in 1 % hydroxyethyl-cellulose and administered daily during14 days of pre-mating and 14 days of mating in both male and female animals, during the gestation period and up to post-natal day 12 in females. Males were dosed for28 days. Dose volumes were adjusted individually based on weekly body weight measurements. Theadministrationvolumewas 5 mL/kg body weight.

During the period of administration, the animals were observed each day for signs of toxicity. At the conclusion of the test, surviving animals were sacrificed and observed macroscopically.

Body weight and food consumption were measured weekly, except for food consumption measurements which were not taken during the mating period in female animals and the mating and post-mating period in male animals.

Haematological and clinical biochemistry evaluations were performedon blood samples collected at terminal sacrifice fromfive randomly selected males and females from each group.

After 14 days of treatment to both male and female, animals were mated (1:1) for a maximum period of 14 days. The subsequent morning onwards the vaginal smears of females were checked to confirm the evidence of mating. After the confirmation of the mating, females were separated and housed individually. Each litter was examined as soon as possible after delivery of the dam to establish the number and sex of pups, stillbirths, live births, runts and the presence of gross abnormalities. Live pups were counted, sexed and litters weighed within 24 hours of parturition, on day 4 and day 13 post-partum. The anogenital distance (AGD) of each pup was measured on PND 0. The number of nipples/areolae in male pups was counted on PND 12. Blood samples from the day 13 pups and the adult males were assessed for serum levels for thyroid hormones (T4).

The males were sacrificed after completion of the mating period on treatment day 29 and the females along with their pups were sacrificed on post-natal day 13. Non-pregnant females were sacrificed on day 26.

The number of implantation sites and corpora lutea was recorded for each parental female at necropsy.

Pups sacrificed on post-natalday 4 or 13 and those found dead, were carefully examined for gross external abnormalities.

A full histopathological evaluation of the preserved tissues was performed on five selected high dose and control animals, in non-pregnant female animals and male mating partners of the LD and MD animals. These examinations were not extended to animals of all other dosage groups as treatment-related changes were not observed in the high dose group. For the testes, a detailed qualitative examination was made; taking into account the tubular stages of the spermatogenic cycle at evaluation ofadditional haematoxylin-PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff)stained slides.All gross lesions macroscopically identified were examined microscopically in all animals.

Summary Results

No test item related mortality or clinical signs of systemic toxicity were observed during daily observations. The clinical signs of moving the bedding and increased salivation observed were observed in short timely relation to dose administration andwere considered to be a sign of discomfort or a local reaction to the test item. Other clinical signs like hairless areas, crusts, scratches/cuts, oedema, kinked tail, hypotonia, slow movements, diarrhoea and aggressiveness were observed without dose dependency in single animals and were not considered adverse.

The test item had no statistically significant or toxicologically relevant effect on body weight or body weight gain and on food consumption in both sexes. However, mean body weight gain was observed to be slightly but statistically significantly lower in the female LD and female HD group compared to the controls during the first week of the gestation phase. However, without consistency between the groups, without dose dependency and occurrence during only one week of treatment this was not considered adverse. Slightly but statistically significantly lower food consumption of females of the LD group during the second week of gestation was not considered test item related as no differences in food consumption were observed between higher dose groups and the control group.

There were no considerable differences in the length or sequence of oestrous cycle stages between the dose groups and the control group. No toxicologically relevant changes in pre-coital interval and duration of gestation were observed in the dose groups when compared to the controls.

No toxicologically relevant effects were noted for corpora lutea, implantations sites, live pups, pre implantation loss and post implantation loss in all dose groups. All values were within the normal range of variation.

There were no test item-related effects on total number of male and female pups, sex ratio and number of still births and runts. Values of these litter parameters were comparable between dose groups and control group.

Litter weight data showed no test item related changes. Slight differences between the groups were within the normal range of variation.

Pre implantation loss and post implantation loss were within the normal range of variation and not relevantly different between dose groups and control group. There was no test item-related effect on mean mortality of pups between PND 0 and PND 4 and during PND 4-13.

The test item had no relevant effect onreproductive indices (copulation, fertility, viability, and delivery index).

Statistically significantly lower mean male pup nipple retention was observed in the HD group. However, as this value was within the normal range of variation it was not considered test item-related. Female pups in the MD group were observed with statistically significantly higher mean pup weight and mean cube root of pup weight and statistically significantly lower anogenital distance in the LD group. Without occurrence of these differences in all groups and dose-dependency this was not considered adverse.

No test item-related effect was observed on pup thyroid weight and thyroxine hormone (T4) level in males and PND 13 pups of the dose groups when compared to the controls.

Two pups were found dead in the control group and no mortality occurred in any of the test item-treated groups. Mortality in the control group was considered to be within the normal range of background findings.A single finding of an external abnormality (dark tail) in one pup of the control group was considered incidental.

There were no statistically significant or toxicologically relevant effects of the test item on haematological, clinical biochemistry and coagulation parameters determined at the end of the treatment period of this study.

No test item related macroscopic findings were noted in the groups during necropsy of the animals. Single observed macroscopic findings and slight differences in organ weights between test item treated groups and the controls were considered incidental without the evidence of corresponding histopathological findings.

No test item related changes were observed during the histopathological evaluation. All findings recorded were deemed to be incidental or were within the range of background alterations that may be recorded in Wistar rats.There was no histological evidence of toxicity in the reproductive organs and tissues including testes, epididymides, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, coagulating glands, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and vagina. No treatment-related effects on the testicular histomorphology were observed. Further, no treatment-related effect on interstitial cell structure was noticed.

Conclusion

On the basis ofthiscombined repeated dose oral toxicity and reproduction/ developmental toxicity screening test withMethyl 4-hydroxybenzoatein male and femaleWistarrats with dose levels of 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg body weight day the following conclusions can be made:

No mortality and no clinical signs of systemic toxicity were observed in the animals of this study. Daily oral treatment withMethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate had no effect on body weight and food consumption. At the end of the respective treatment periods of male and female animals there were no changes in clinical pathology results up to 1000 mg/kg bw/day and organ weights were inconspicuous. No relevant macroscopic and no histopathological abnormalities were observed in treated animals. Thus, the NOAEL for general toxicity is determined to be 1000 mg/kg bw/day.

No test item-related effects on the reproduction and developmental parameters analysed in this study, i.e. oestrous cycle, copulation, fertility and delivery indices, number of corpora lutea, implantation sites and live pups, pre- and post-implantation loss, number of male and female pups, sex ratio, still births, runts, litter weight data, anogenital distance, nipple retention and external abnormalities. Thus, the NOAEL forreproduction/developmental toxicity isdetermined to be1000 mg/kg bw/day.