Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) exposure of male mice produces a decrease in cell proliferation of preimplantation embryos

Special Report: Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Ethylene Glycol and Its Ethers

Polymers of Ethylene Glycol are linked via ether linkages with various alcohols or via ester linkages to various fatty acids in many cosmetic ingredients. Ethylene Glycol, when reacted with an alkyl alcohol, forms an ethylene glycol monoalkyl ether. These compounds are metabolized in the human body by alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase to form corresponding acetaldehyde and acetic acid derivatives. Data are presented that show reproductive and developmental toxicity is associated with metabolites of ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, but not with the monoalkyl ethers themselves. Further, it is suggested that the toxicity of these metabolites is inversely proportional to the length of the alkyl chain in the original alkyl ether. In the case of the compounds used in cosmetics, most have alcohols or fatty acids linked to polyethylene glycol chains, not a single Ethylene Glycol moiety. Where Ethylene Glycol is linked to a fatty acid by an ester linkage, the resulting compound is chemically different from the monoalkyl ethers. Where Ethylene Glycol is linked to an alcohol via an ether linkage, the alkyl chain is large and complex, suggesting little or no potential toxicity. Overall, it was found that metabolites of ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers are reproductive and developmental toxins. In general, however, the metabolites of concern are not expected to be formed in cosmetic formulations that contain polymers of ethylene glycol.

Exposure to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether: clinical and cytogenetic findings

Glycol ethers are known reproductive and developmental toxins in laboratory animals, but little is known about their genotoxic effects in humans. In the current article, the authors tested the hypothesis that human in utero exposure to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) is associated with the development of specific congenital anomalies and elevated levels of chromosome aberrations. The authors conducted a clinical and cytogenetic evaluation of 41 offspring of 28 females occupationally exposed to EGME for an average duration of 4.6 yr. Six offspring of 5 women who were occupationally exposed to EGME during pregnancy exhibited characteristic dysmorphic features that were not observed in 35 offspring of 23 women who worked in the same facility, but who were not pregnant at the time of exposure. Persistent cytogenetic damage was observed exclusively in all 6 in-utero-exposed offspring, but not in their 12 match non-in-utero-exposed controls. The study characterizes EGME as a human teratogen, as indicated by the prevalence of characteristic dysmorphic features and persistent cytogenetic damage in individuals exposed in utero to this chemical.

Toxicity review of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and its acetate ester

Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and its acetate ester (EGMEA) are highly flammable, colorless, moderately volatile liquids with very good solubility properties. They are used in paints, lacquers, stains, inks and surface coatings, silk-screen printing, photographic and photo lithographic processes, for example, in the semiconductor industry, textile and leather finishing, production of food-contact plastics, and as an antiicing additive in hydraulic fluids and jet fuel. EGME and EGMEA are efficiently absorbed by inhalation as well as via dermal penetration. Dermal absorption may contribute substantially to the total uptake following skin contact with liquids or vapours containing EGME or EGMEA. EGMEA is rapidly converted to EGME in the body and the two substances are equally toxic in animals. Therefore, the two substances should be considered as equally hazardous to man. Effects on peripheral blood, testes, and sperm have been reported at occupational exposure levels ranging between 0.4 and 10 ppm EGME in air, and with additional, possibly substantial, dermal exposure. Severe malformations and disturbed hematopoiesis have been linked with exposure to EGME and EGMEA at unknown, probably high, levels. Embryonic deaths in monkeys and impaired spermatogenesis in rabbits have been reported after daily oral doses of 12 and 25 mg per kg body weight, respectively. In several studies, increased frequency of spontaneous abortions, disturbed menstrual cycle, and subfertility have been demonstrated in women working in the semiconductor industry. The contribution of EGME in relation to other exposure factors in the semiconductor industry is unclear.

Ethylene glycol poisoning: case report of a record-high level and a review

Ethylene glycol is commonly found in automobile antifreeze and a variety of other commercial products. Ingestion of ethylene glycol, either accidentally or in a suicide attempt, is characterized by severe acidosis, calcium oxalate crystal formation and deposition, and a wide variety of end organ effects that may be fatal. We present a case of a patient who ingested a massive amount of ethylene glycol in a suicide attempt and yet survived with minimal sequelae. A comprehensive review of the literature on the pathology and pathophysiology of ethylene glycol toxicity on each organ system is provided, along with information on diagnosis and current treatment recommendations.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) accelerates differentiation of murine preimplantation embryos in vitro

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a potent teratogen in several animal species, especially during the period of organogenesis. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that TCDD has direct effects on the earliest stages of murine embryonic development, namely the preimplantation stages. Three endpoints were measured: 1) embryo cell number, a measure of embryo viability, 2) competitive embryonic cell proliferation utilizing chimeric embryos, another measure of embryo viability, and 3) cavitation rate, a functional measure of trophectoderm differentiation. Neither embryo cell numbers nor competitive embryonic cell proliferation (chimera assay) were affected by TCDD, either when the mother was dosed in vivo (prior to fertilization), or when 2-cell embryos were dosed in vitro. However, cavitation rates of in vitro-dosed embryos, in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum, were significantly higher for TCDD than controls, suggesting that TCDD accelerated differentiation of murine preimplantation embryos. Taken together, these results demonstrate that: 1) TCDD can act directly on the murine preimplantation embryo, and 2) TCDD's actions are primarily on accelerated differentiation and not on embryo viability. To our knowledge, this is the earliest stage of mammalian development during which TCDD has been shown to exert an effect.