National Toxicology Program

Teratologic Evaluation of Phenol (CAS NO. 108-95-2) In CD^® Rats

NTP Study TER81104

ABSTRACT

Phenol, a widely used industrial chemical and antimicrobial agent, was evaluated for toxic and teratogenic effects in timed-pregnant CD^® rats. Phenol (0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg/day, po) in distilled water was administered in a volume of 5 ml/kg of body weight on gestational days (gd) 6-15. Females were weighed daily during treatment and observed for clinical signs of toxicity. A total of 20-22 females/group were confirmed to be pregnant at sacrifice on gd 20. The gravid uterus of each dam was weighed and the uterine contents examined for implantation sites and fetuses (live, dead or resorbed). Each live fetus was weighed and examined for external, visceral and skeletal malformations.

Dams failed to exhibit any statistically significant signs of maternal toxicity, nor were any clinical symptoms clearly related to phenol treatment. Examination of gravid uteri at term (gd 20) revealed a significant increase in the proportion of litters with resorption sites for the low- and mid-dose groups, but not for the high-dose group. Average live fetal body weight per litter was decreased in a dose-related manner, with high-dose fetuses significantly below controls. No evidence for a teratogenic effect of phenol in CD^® rats was observed under the conditions of the present study.

Report Date: July 29,1983

NTIS# PB83-247726

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