Comparative gavage subchronic toxicity studies of o-chloroaniline and m-chloroaniline in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice

Abstract

ortho-Chloroaniline (o-CA) and meta-chloroaniline (m-CA) are chemical intermediates for pigment production in the textile industry. Comparative subchronic gavage studies were conducted to determine the effect of structure on toxicity. o-CA or m-CA was administered to 10 animals/sex/species in deionized water at dosages of 0, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg for 13 weeks. Blood samples for clinical pathology were collected after 3 and 23 days in rats and at study termination (Day 93) in rats and mice. No mortalities occurred that could be directly attributed to treatment. Transient clinical signs of toxicity observed after dosing included cyanosis in rats and ataxia and tremors in mice. Methemoglobin formation was directly related to dosage (rats and mice) and duration of treatment (rats). At study termination, Heinz body formation in erythrocytes in association with decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count was a prominent treatment-related effect. Enlarged spleens (gross necropsy observation) and increased spleen weight were treatment effects of each chemical in both species. Microscopic lesions typical of increased red blood cell production were found in hematopoietic tissues (bone marrow, spleen, and liver), while lesions due to increased red cell destruction were found in these tissues and also the kidneys (rats). Microscopic changes were more frequently seen and severe, and involved more body organs, in rats than mice, and in m-CA-treated animals than o-CA-treated animals. Sex differences in lesion incidence/severity were not evident.