Octyl methoxycinnamate: Two generation reproduction toxicity in Wistar rats by dietary administration

Wistar rats continuously received octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) in the diet through two successive generations at nominal doses of 0, 150, 450 or 1000 mg/kg bw/day. OMC had no adverse effects on estrous cycles, mating behavior, conception, parturition, lactation and weaning, sperm and follicle parameters, macropathology and histopathology of the sexual organs. 1000 mg/kg bw/day reduced parental food consumption and body weight (−14% to −16% in males, −4% to −5% females), increased liver weight, produced hepatic cytoplasmic eosinophilia and erosion/ulceration of glandular stomach mucosa. and led to a slightly decreased implantation rate in the top dose F0 and F1 dams. The high dose F1 and F2 pups had reduced lactation weight gain and organ weights and delayed sexual maturation landmarks. There was no evidence of a selective influence of the test compound on pups' sexual landmarks. The NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) is 450 mg/kg bw/day for fertility and reproductive performance, for systemic parental and developmental toxicity.