Neurotoxicologic examination of rats dermally exposed to 2,4-D amine for three weeks.

There was no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or other neurotoxicity in rats dermally treated with a 12% aqueous solution of the amine salt of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D amine). Male and female Fischer 344 rats were treated on the skin of all four limbs with 2,4-D amine for 2 hr/day, 5 days/week, for 3 weeks. Measurements were: body weights, hindlimb grip strength, accelerating rod performance, single and paired pulse electrophysiology of the caudal and sciatic nerves, hindfoot H-reflexes, light microscopy of brain, spinal cord, sciatic nerve, tibial nerve, digital nerve, and electron microscopy of the tibial nerve. The experiment continued for up to one month postexposure. Treatment caused a weight loss in both male and female rats and caused minor skin changes during treatment in both sexes. No other treatment-related effects were found.