Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity study with erythritol in rats

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 1996 Oct;24(2 Pt 2):S232-6. doi: 10.1006/rtph.1996.0103.

Abstract

The embryotoxicity/teratogenicity of erythritol, a low-calorie polyol sugar substitute, was examined in Wistar Crl:(WI) WU BR rats. Erythritol was fed at dietary concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, and 10% to groups of 32 female rats from Day 0 to 21 of gestation. The treatment was generally well tolerated and no mortality occurred in any group. Weight gain during gestation, food consumption, and food efficiency were similar in all groups except for a significantly reduced weight gain in the 10% erythritol group in Week 2 of gestation. Reproductive performance was not affected by the treatment but the fertility index was generally rather low (69% in both control and high-dose group). Examination of the fetuses for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations did not reveal any fetotoxic, embryotoxic, or teratogenic effects. The slightly lower maternal body weight in the high-dose group was interpreted as a trivial result of the consumption of a low-calorie test substance in high amounts. In conclusion, no adverse effects were observed at erythritol doses of up to about 6.6 g/kg body wt/day, i.e., the highest dose tested.

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / etiology*
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Diet
  • Embryo, Mammalian / drug effects
  • Erythritol / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sweetening Agents / toxicity*
  • Teratogens / toxicity*

Substances

  • Sweetening Agents
  • Teratogens
  • Erythritol