Range-Finding Study for a Reproductive Screen of Modular Artillery Charge System (XM231/XM232) Administered in the Diet of Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Abstract

An artillery propellant under development b the U.S. Army is a granular mixture of nitrocelinlose, nitroglycerin, nitroguanidine, ethylcentralite, cryolite, and graphite. The propellant, Modniar Artillery Charge System or MACS, consists of a single increment of propellant charge contained within a rigid combustible casing. Nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and nitroguanidine make up greater than 98% of the total propellant mixture. As part of the process to develop environmental and health effects criteria, a 90-day modified Screening Information Data Set reproductive assay is planned. In order to provide information on clinical signs, methemoglobin formation and possible target organs, as well as determine dose levels, a range- finding study was performed. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with diet containing either O.O,0.2S, or 2.Og propellant/kg diet for a three-week period. No mortalities occurred and body weights were unaffected by treatment. Methemoglobin concentrations measured at the conclusion of the study indicated no differences between treated and control rats. Relative liver weights of the high-dose female rats were significantly (p<0. 1) greater than the control group. No gross lesions were noted at necropsy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1995
Accession Number
ADA317190

Entities

People

  • C. D. Fleming
  • D. L. Pollard
  • E. R. Kinkead
  • M. L. Freedman
  • R. E. Wolfe

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artillery
  • Body Weight
  • Data Sets
  • Death
  • Explosives
  • Hematologic Diseases
  • Hemoglobin
  • Liquid Explosives
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Measurement
  • Nitrocellulose
  • Nitroglycerin
  • Propellants
  • Range Finding
  • Triple Base Propellants

Readers

  • Marksmanship and Weaponry.
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology