THE EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC CHLORATE EXPOSURE IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to drinking water containing 3.0, 12.0 or 48.0 mM sodium chlorate. The mean drinking water consumption varied between exposure groups from 100-200 ml/kg/day. Female exposure groups consistently drank more water (23-42%) than male exposure groups thereby receiving more chlorate/kg/day at every exposure level. There were no compound related deaths; however, both males and females in the high exposure groups had significant weight loss during the 90-day exposure period. Also, in these same groups females had mild but significant decreases in the following relative organ weights; adrenals, thymus and spleen, while the relative brain weight was increased. In males, the heart, kidneys and liver were mildly decreased while the brain and testes were mildly increased. Red blood cell counts and percent hematocrit were decreased in both sexes in the high dose group. Pituitary gland (pars distalis) vacuolization and thyroid gland colloid depletion were prominent in both sexes in mid and/or high dose animals. A NOAEL of 0.36 mM chlorate/kg b.w./day in males and 0.50 mM chlorate/kg b.w./day in females were established.