EMBRYOTOXICITY AND FETOTOXICITY FROM MATERNAL INHALATION OF METHYL-METHACRYLATE MONOMER IN RATS

Inhalation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been reported to produce systemic toxicity in laboratory animals, and parenteral administration of MMA has induced embryo-fetal growth retardation and some fetal malformations in rats. To ascertain whether or not inhalation of MMA might also have an effect on reproduction, pregnant rats were exposed to air containing approximately 110 mg/liter MMA. The acute LT50 was determined to be 72.2 min. Pregnant rats were exposed daily to approximately one-quarter and three-quarters of the acute LT50 on Days 6 through 15 of gestation. Data from MMA-treated groups were compared to two groups of controls, a group similarly exposed to air only, and an untreated group. Significant differences (p<0.05) were indicated between one or both treated groups and one or both controls for maternal weight and food consumption, and for fetal weight, crown-rump length, early fetal deaths, and for certain gross and skeletal anomalies, but not for numbers of fetuses per litter or resorptions. © 1979.