Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of calcipotriol (MC903): (1)--A fertility study in rats by subcutaneous administration

Abstract

Calcipotriol (MC903), an anti-psoriasic agent, was given subcutaneously at dose levels of 1, 5 and 25 micrograms/kg/day during the pre-pairing period (9 weeks prior to pairing in males and 2 weeks prior to pairing in females) and the pairing period to male and female rats and in the early stage of pregnancy (day 0 through 7 of gestation) to female rats, and the effects of the test compound on male and female reproductive performance and fetal development were evaluated. 1. In the male 25 micrograms/kg group, opacity of the eyeball surface was observed, and depression of body weight gain, and decreases of body weight and food consumption, and increases in the weight of the kidney were statistically significant in comparison with vehicle controls. 2. In the female 25 micrograms/kg group, depression of body weight gain and food consumption were statistically significant in comparison with vehicle controls. 3. No changes in parameters of reproductive performance were seen in any dosed groups. 4. No changes in parameters of implantation performance were seen. There were no treated-related abnormalities in fetal mortality, weights of fetuses, and external, visceral and skeletal examinations. Based on there results, it is considered that in the present study the no-toxic dose levels of MC903 were 5 micrograms/kg/day for parents, 25 micrograms/kg/day for reproductive performance and fetal development.