The Intramuscular Toxicity of Soman in the African Green Monkey
Abstract
The present study established the toxicity of the nerve agent soman in the African green monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops). Seven male African green monkeys were implanted with telemetry devices to monitor electro-encephalographic (EEG) activity. The up-down method of Dixon and Massey (1981) was used to estimate the LD(sub-50). Soman was injected IM in the calf muscle. One subject was given 5.01 ug/kg soman: toxic signs (fasciculations, tremors, salivation) developed within 5 min with tonic-clonic motor convulsions and EEG seizure beginning shortly thereafter and persisting for ~1 hr. Toxic signs diminished over 6 hr and the animal recovered. Three animals were exposed to 6.31 ug/kg soman. Similar toxic signs developed: seizures and convulsions persisted 4-5 hr. Two animals recovered while the other animal developed spontaneous seizure/convulsions and failed to take nourishment. Three animals were exposed to 7.94 ug/kg soman. All developed severe seizures and motor convulsions accompanied by profuse salivation. Two animals died in <30 min, the third died ~5 hr after exposure. The 48-hr IM LD(sub-50) of soman was calculated to be 7.15 ug/kg. The African green monkey responds to soman exposure with the same progression of toxic signs and at similar dose levels as reported for rhesus monkeys.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA443131
Entities
People
- J. Mcmonagle
- John H. McDonough
- Jonathan W. Evans
- K. Despain
- M. Benito
- M. Pannell
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense