The teratogenic potential and dose-response of dermally administered ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) estimated in rats with the Chernoff-Kavlock assay.

The Chernoff and Kavlock in vivo assay was used to study the teratogenic potential of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME). It was administered to pregnant rats on days 6-17 (inclusive) of gestation by the dermal route at an application rate of 10 ml kg-1 body weight of 3%, 10%, 30% and 100% EGME with physiological saline as the solvent. 100% was lethal to the pregnant rats, 30% was lethal to the fetuses, 10% produced small litter sizes with poor survival and 3% had no adverse effects. By the 'rules' developed to evaluate results from the assay, 10% was judged to be a potentially teratogenic dose in the rats. The study also demonstrated the usefulness of this assay for pre-screening or additional investigations for suspected teratogens when route of exposure could be important in determining the potential hazard.