• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2001

Korean ginseng products have been fumigated with ethylene oxide (EO) for sterilization and prolongation of storage periods. However, there had been controversies indicating that the consumption of food treated with EO might cause harmful effects in human. Since, in Korea the use of EO gas for food treatment was banned in 1991. Since then, irradiation technique has been developed as an alternative. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of irradiated ginseng on fertility, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Either EO gas fumigated or gamma-irradiated ginseng was administered to male rats by oral gavage for 63 days during the premating period. Female rats were administered from 14 days before mating to day 20 of gestation or to day 21 of lactation. The exposure amount of irradiation used was 5, 10 and 30 kGy, respectively. There were no treatment related changes of darns in clinical signs, and parturition. No treatment related changes in food consumption, body/organ weights, male/female reproductive and fertility performances were observed. F1 fetuses showed no external abnormality. Reflex/sensory junctions, physical/behavioral development, and reproductive performance of F1 rats were not adversary affected. The results of this study show that gamma-irradiated ginseng, up to 30 kGy, has no adverse effects on the fertility, reproduction and development in Wistar rats.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2001

The background control data were compiled from rat developmental toxicity studies con-ducted at Toxicology Research Center, KRICT during the 1993-1999 period. These data were assembled in order to provide background in formation for the maternal and fetal data collected in 13 developmental toxicity studies using Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 325 mated females were used in these studies during the seven-year period and overall pregnancy rate of these females was 93.8%. The present background control data included body weights, food consumption, hematological values, and organ weights of pregnant females, caesarean section data, and fetal examination data. These data can be used not only as a historical database for the meaningful interpretation of data from reproductive and developmental toxicity studies, but also as a contribution to biological characterization oj Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.273-286
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• 2013

Objectives: The present study was conducted in order to investigate the reproductive toxicity in rats exposed to 1,4-dichlorobutane. Methods: The test chemical was administered orally at 0, 8.3, 50 and 300 mg/kg/day. Males were administered daily for 10 weeks prior to the mating period. Females were administered from between two weeks before mating to the 21stday of lactation. Results: In both sexes, a decrease in body weight and an increase in the weights of the liver and kidneys were observed. In males, discoloration of the liver, hepatocyte hypertrophy and mineralization in the kidneys were observed. In females, animal deaths, dystocia and pup deaths due to maternal dysfunction were observed. In F1 animals of both sexes, a decrease in body weight was observed at 300 mg/kg/day. An increase in the weights of the liver in both sexes, mineralization in the kidneys of males, animal deaths, hepatocyte hypertrophy and pup deaths due to maternal dysfunction were observed at 50 mg/kg/day. Mineralization in the kidneys of males was observed at 8.3 mg/kg/day. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) of 1,4- dichlorobutane were considered to be under 8.3 mg/kg/day for males, 8.3 mg/kg/day for females, more than 300 mg/kg/day for fertility in both sexes, 8.3 mg/kg/day for maternal functions and 50 mg/kg/day for F1 offspring. The absolute toxic dose was believed to be 8.3 mg/kg/day for males, 50 mg/kg/day for females, 50 mg/kg/day for maternal functions and 300 mg/kg/day for F1 offspring. However NOAEL for fertility could not be determined since there were no treatment-related changes. Conclusions: Under the present experimental conditions, 1,4-dichlorobutane is a Category 1B Reproductive Toxicant (presumed human reproductive or developmental toxicant).

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.190-204
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate for its effects on reproductive and developmental toxicity of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were administered rhEGF at doses of 1, 10, 100, and 1000$\mu$g/kg/day, respective1y, by subcutaneous injection from 63 days before and throughout to mating period until the day before sacrifice. Female rats were administered rhEGF at the same doses from 14 days before mating to day 20 of gestation or to day 21 of lactation. We examined the male and female fertility indices and maternal toxicity of F0 parental animals. Also, we examined the external, visceral, or skeletal malformation of fetuses, growth and development, behavior, and/or reproductive performance of F1 animals. At the highest dose (1,000 $\mu$g/kg), the mean body weights of F0 animals were significantly increased in males and females at 3 or 2 weeks after treatment, respective1y. No clinical signs and food intakes were observed at any time during the experimental period by rhEGF treatment. In autopsy examination, the relative and absolute liver weights significantly increased in both sexes of 1,000 $\mu$g/kg. At the highest dose (1,000 $\mu$g/kg), there was a statistically significant increase of pregnancy period and the number of dead fetuses. Moreover, significant increase of mean fetal body weight and decrease of number of live fetuses, which related to the difficult dilivery were observed in highest dose group. In Fl examination, no adverse effects on external, visceral, and skeletal malformation, physical and functional development, behavior or reproductive ability of Fl animals were observed in any group. Also, there was no significant difference between control and treated groups in copulation or fertility indices of Fl animals. These results indicate that rhEGF had no adverse effect on fertility and reproductive ability of Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.78-86
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• 2005

Dioxins, especially 2, 3, 7, 8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. TCDD is known that it has toxic effects in animals and humans, including chloracne, immune, reproductive and developmental toxicities, carcinogenicity, wasting syndrome and death. TCDD induces a broad spectrum of biological responses, including disruption of normal hormone signaling pathways, reproductive and developmental defects, immunotoxicity, liver damage, wasting syndrome and cancer. Many researches showed that TCDD induces gene expression of transcriptional factors related cell proliferation, signal transduction, immune system and cell cycle arrest at molecular and cellular levels. These toxic actions of TCDD are usually mediated with AhR (receptor, resulted from cell culture, animal and clinical studies). cDNA microarray can be used as a highly sensitive and informative marker for toxicity. Additionally, microarray analysis of dioxin-toxicity is able to provide an opportunity for the development of candidate bridging biomarkers of dioxin-toxicity. Through microarray technology, it is possible to understand the therapeutic effects of agonists within the context of toxic effects, classify new chemicals as to their complete effects on biological systems, and identify environmental factors that may influence safety.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.102-102
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• 2003

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was known as endocrine disrupter revealing reproductive / developmental toxicity. For a long time, risk due to DEHP released from PVC medical devices was became an issue for patient receiving blood bag, iv injection solution like saline and Hartman's solution. This study was conducted to suggest permissible intake level (PIL) of DEHP based on reproductive toxicity, to quantify daily intake level of DEHP can be exposed to patient through various medical treatment and to estimate risk values of DEHP released from PVC medical devices.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.82-82
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• 2004

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.391-403
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• 2007

The study was conducted to assess the repeated dose and reproduction and developmental toxicities of acetanilide, an intermediate for drug production, as a part of OECD Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) program. The test agent was administered by gavage at dose levels of 0, 22, 67, 200 and 600 mg/kg to Sprague-Dawley rats (12/group/sex) during pre-mating and mating period for males(up to 30 days) and females and pregnancy and early lactation period for females (up to 39-50 days). At 22 mg/kg, decreases in HGB, HCT (males) and MCHC (females), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp, hyperplasia of femur bone marrow (both sexes) were observed. At 67 mg/kg, salivation (males), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and MCHC (males), increases in MCV (males) and spleen weight (males), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp and femur bone marrow (both sexes) were observed. At 200 mg/kg, decreases in locomotor activity and salivation (both sexes), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and increases in MCV, MCH, BUN, T-BIL (males), enlargement of spleen (both sexes), increased weight of spleen (males), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp and femur bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis of liver (both sexes), atrophy of thymus and corpus luteum hyperplasia of ovary (females) were observed. At 600 mg/kg, decreases in locomotor activity, cyanosis (both sexes), reddish tear, and salivation (males), mortality (4 out of 12 females), decreased body weight (females), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and MCHC and increases in WBC, MCV, MCH, reticulocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, AST, ALT, BUN, T-BIL, ALB, Ca and A/G ratio (males), enlargement of spleen, increased weights of spleen (both sexes), liver (males), kidney and ovary, decreased weights of thymus (females), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp, hyperplasia of femur bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis of liver (both sexes), and atrophy of thymus and corpus luteum hyperplasia of ovary (females) were observed. Regarding the reproduction and development toxicities, there were no treatment-related changes in precoital time, mating index, fertility index and pregnancy index at all doses tested. At 22 and 67 mg/kg, there were no adverse effects on all the parameters observed. At 200 mg/ kg, decreased body weight of pups (day 4 p.p.) were observed. At 600 mg/kg, decreased body weight of pups (day 0 and 4 p.p.) and viability index (day 4 p.p.), increased incidence of newborns dead or with abnormal clinical signs were observed. The results suggest that the NOAELs for general toxicity are < 22 mg/kg, LOAELs are 22 mg/kg and the NOAELs for reproductive toxicity are 67 mg/kg.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.122-122
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• 2001

Flupyrazofos is a new type of pyrazole organophosporus insecticide, which has a high activity against the diamond-back moth (Plutella xylostella). The potential of this agent to induce developmental toxicity was investigated in the Sprague-Dawley rat.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.57-69
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• 2003

It is well known that many pesticides possess hormonal activity, and affect the developments of wildlife and mammals including human. Currently, pyrethroid insecticides are in worldwide use to control in and outdoor pests, providing potential far environmental exposure. Hormonal activities of these pyrethroid insecticides, however, have been little studied, and the developmental effects of them were no reported. Therefore, we firstly examined the potential estrogenic activities of some pyrethroid insecticides (permethrin, cypermethrin, tetramethrin, deltamethrin, sumithrin, fenvalerate and bioallethrin) by immature rat uterotrophic assay, luciferase reporter gene assay and Calbindin-D$\sub$9k/ (CaBP-9k) gene expression assay. Uterine wet weights were increased by permethrin and the permethrin-induced weights were inhibited by ICI 182780 in the uterolrophic assay. On the other hand tetramethrin significantly reduced uterine and vaginal wet weights, and also inhibited the E2-induced weight increases at all doses tested. Cypermethrin and sumithrin had a tendency to increase uterine weights, although not statistically significant. Permethrin and cypermethrin dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in reporter gene assay. Northern blot analysis showed that permethrin induced CaBP-9k mRNA expression whereas tetramethrin inhibted. Subsequent studies were conducted to investigate the possible developmental effects of four pyrethroid insecricides (permethrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin and teramethrin). Either diethlbestrol (DES) or 17${\beta}$ -estradiol (E2) was used as a reference control in this study. Pyrethroid insecticides were administered to Sprague Dawley rats via subcutaneous injection at 6 to 18 days of gestation or 1 to 5 days after birth. In utero treatment of permethrin (10mg/kg/day) in female rat resulted in significant increases in uterine and ovarian weights while significant decreases in serum E2 concentration, uterine and ovarian ER${\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Sumithrin and permethrin led to acceleration in vaginal opening of female rat, while delay in preputial separation of male after neonatal treatment. Anogenital distances of PND 18 were significantly reduced in sumthrin-treated, and permerhrin-treated male rats after neonatal treatment. All the pyrethroid insecticides tested caused significant increases in uterine weights on PND 18, while significant reductions in the first diestrus phase when neonataly treated. In addition, exposure to pyrethroids in neonatal period led to significant reduction in relative brain weight in female rat on PND 18, but its weight was recovered in diestrus phase. In summary, Our experimental data demonstrate the possibilities of developmental effects of pyrethroid insecticides via estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity.