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2777311 
Journal Article 
Teratogenic effects of food additive ethyl-p-hydroxy benzoate studied in pregnant rats 
Moriyama, I; Hiraoka, K; Yamaguchi, R 
1975 
0 
Acta Obstetrica et Gynaecologica Japonica
ISSN: 0001-6330 
HEEP/76/09997 
ENGL ED 
ENGL ED 
94-106 
HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. The biological effects of ethyl-p-hydroxybenzoate (EB) were studied using pregnant and non-pregnant Wistar rats. Tests for acute toxicity were performed in 3 groups with EB orally administered at 10%, 1% and 0.1%. Tests for teratogenicity were made in fetuses from 3 groups of pregnant rats with EB given orally in the critical period at these concentrations. Fetal external features were observed, and visceral and osseous conditions were examined. Neonatal growth was observed for 1 mo. after birth in rat pups nursed by mother rats. No noticeable acute toxicity could be identified (200 mg/kg) and there was no sign of teratogenicity identifiable in fetuses at different EB concentrations. From the 10% EB group, some fetuses appeared with low body weight; there were some instances of malformations of bones and viscera attributed to maternal malnutrition. Neonatal growth curves showed no abnormal trends. The administration dose of 0.1% EB (3.9 g/kg) in rats is comparable to 240 g/60 kg body weight for a human adult. EB at these levels caused no significant ill effects in rats.