The teratogenicity of methoxyacetic acid in the rat.

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of methoxyacetic acid (MAA) to rats on Day 8, 10, 12 or 14 of pregnancy was embryolethal and teratogenic. Skeletal anomalies, hydrocephalus and dilatation of the kidney pelvis were the most common malformations. Embryonic response to MAA varied with gestational age and with dosage (0.1 to 2.5 mmol/kg). These actions are similar to those previously reported for 2-methoxyethanol (ME) and dimethoxyethyl phthalate (DMEP). Embryos were also examined on Day 12, 48 h following i.p. administration of 2.5 mmol/kg MAA. Abnormalities were comparable to those previously observed following MAA treatment of rat conceptuses in culture. These data support the conclusion that MAA is the proximal teratogenic metabolite of ME and DMEP.