Effects of 1-bromopropane, 2-bromopropane, and 1,2-dichloropropane on the estrous cycle and ovulation in F344 rats

The present study was performed to investigate comparatively the toxic effects of inhalation exposure of 1-bromopropane, 2-bromopropane, and 1,2-dichloropropane on reproductive physiology, particularly on the estrous cycle and spontaneous ovulation in female F344 rats. The rats received inhalation exposure to different halogenated propanes, and were exposed daily for 8 h throughout almost 3 weeks to 0, 50, 200 and 1000 ppin of 1-bromopropane or 2-bromopropane, or to 0, 50, 100 and 200 ppm of 1,2-dichloropropane. Throughout the exposure period of 1-bromopropane or 2-bromopropane, the ratio of the number of estrous cycle of 6 days or longer to the number of all cycles in both 1000 ppm. groups were about two-fold the ratio in each control group, however, no significant difference was found between the ratios of exposed and control groups. The ratios of such long estrous cycles in groups exposed to 100 or 200 ppm of 1,2-dichloropropane were six- to seven-fold higher than that of the control group. These ratios in exposed rats differed significantly from those of controls. The number of ovulated ova in rats exposed to 1,2-dichloropropane decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and the number of ovulated ova in the 200 ppm group was significantly different from that of control rats. Such significant changes in ovulation were not observed in rats exposed to 1-bromopropane or 2-bromopropane. The absolute and relative weights of the ovaries and uterus in rats exposed to three halogenated propanes were not significantly different from those in each control. Therefore, the present study clarified that: (1) 1,2-dichloropropane prolonged the length of the estrous cycle and inhibited spontaneous ovulation in F344 rats; and (2) the potency of 1,2-dichloropropane to disturb the female reproductive physiology appeared to be greater compared with that of 1-bromopropane and 2-bromopropane under the present conditions of inhalation exposure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.