The Reproductive Toxicity of Mequindox in a Two-Generation Study in Wistar Rats

Mequindox (MEQ), belonging to quinoxaline-di-N-oxides (QdNOs), has been extensively used as a synthetic antibacterial agent. To evaluate the reproductive toxicity of MEQ, different concentrations of MEQ were administered to Wistar rats by feeding diets containing 0, 25, 55, 110, and 275 mg/kg, respectively. Each group consisting of 25 males and 25 females (F-0) was treated with different concentrations of MEQ for 12-week period time, prior to mating and during mating, gestation, parturition and lactation. At weaning, 25 males and 25 females of F-1 generation weanlings per group were randomly selected as parents for the F-2 generation. Selected F-1 weanlings were exposed to the same diet and treatment as their parents. The number of live litter and indexes of mating and fertility were significantly decreased in the F-1 and F-2 generation at 110 and 275 mg/kg groups. Significant decrease in pup vitality during lactation was observed in F-1 litter at 275 mg/kg group, in F-2 litter at 55, 110, and 275 mg/kg groups. A downward trend in the body weights was observed in F-1 pups at 55, 110, and 275 mg/kg MEQ groups, and in F-2 pups at 110 and 275 mg/kg MEQ groups. The changed levels of ALT, AST, CREA, BUN, UA, Na, and K were noted in the serum of rats. The histopathologic examination showed that MEQ induced toxicity in the liver, kidney, adrenal, uterus and testis. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for reproduction toxicity of MEQ was 25 mg/kg diet. The malformations and severe maternal toxicity of MEQ caused adverse effects on the conceptus and embryo, which result in fetal malformations and fetal deaths. In summary, the present study showed that MEQ induced maternal, embryo and reproductive toxicities as well as teratogenicity in rats.