2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) does not cause polyneuropathy in the rat

Abstract

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a component of Agent Orange, was injected intraperitoneally into adult male Fisher rats for 3–12 weeks. During the period of study gait and toe-spreading reflexes remained normal and distal motor latencies, motor and mixed nerve conduction velocities and amplitudes remained similar ( P > 0.05) in animals receiving 2,4-D or vehicle. This study suggests that 2,4-D is not toxic to peripheral nerves in the rat.