Chronic toxicity, reproductive, and teratogenic studies of hexazinone

Abstract

Hexazinone [3-cyclohexyl-6-(dimethylamino)-1-methyl-1,3,5-triazine 2,4(1 H,3 H)-dione; CAS 51235-04-2] was tested for oral toxicity in rats (both 90-day and 2-year feeding studies), mice (8-week and 2-year feeding studies), and dogs (90-day feeding study). The teratogenic potential was evaluated in rabbits and rats and functional reproductive capacity was studied in rats. Ninety-day feeding of up to 1000 ppm produced no signs of a toxic response in rats. Rats fed 5000 ppm had growth curves slightly inferior to those of the controls as the only detectable difference. Extending the feeding period to 2 years produced decreased body weights in males fed 2500 ppm (top level tested) and in females fed either 1000 or 2500 ppm. All other indices of response, including the type and distribution of tumors, were similar in the test and control rats with the no-effect level being 200 ppm. Eight-week feeding of up to 10,000 ppm in mice produced increased liver weight only at the highest level without any other changes. Two-year feeding of either 200, 2500, or 10,000 ppm resulted in sloughing of the distal tip of the tail and increased liver weights among mice fed 10,000 ppm. Hypertrophy of centrilobular hepatocytes and hyperplasic nodules were increased in mice fed either 2500 or 10,000 ppm. No evidence of a tumorigenic response was evident. The no-effect level was 200 ppm. Dogs fed 5000 ppm for 90 days had decreased rate of body weight gain with clinical enzyme changes suggestive of liver damage. Microscopic examination of the liver failed to reveal any alterations and dogs fed either 200 or 1000 ppm were indistinguishable from controls. The no-effect level in the dog was 1000 ppm. No evidence of a teratogenic response was seen in either rats or rabbits and reproduction capacity in rats fed up to 2500 ppm for three generations was unaffected.