Bioassay of 2,4,5-trimethylaniline for possible carcinogenicity.

Abstract

A bioassay of 2,4,5-trimethylaniline for possible carcinogenicity was conducted by administering the test chemical in feed to F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. Groups of 50 rats and 50 mice of each sex were administered 2,4,5-trimethylaniline at one of two doses, either 200 or 800 ppm for the rats and either 50 or 100 ppm for the mice, for 101 weeks. Matched controls consisted of 20 untreated rats and 20 untreated mice of each sex. All surviving animals were killed at the end of administration of the test chemical. Mean body weights of the dosed male and female rats were generally lower than those of corresponding controls; mean body weights of the dosed mice were only slightly lower in the males than in the corresponding controls and were unaffected or affected irregularly in the females. Survival was not affected significantly when the rats or mice were administered the test chemical and was 70% or greater in all dosed or control groups. Sufficient numbers of animals were at risk for late-appearing tumors. In the rats, hepatocellular carcinomas or neoplastic nodules occurred at incidences that were dose related in both males and females (P