In the past few years, TNO worked to develop the new OECD test guideline to conduct safety testing in the area of reproduction toxicology, specifically
the Extended One Generation Reproduction Toxicity Studies (EOGRTS).
This new guideline helps to reduce animal testing in reproductive and
developmental toxicity from up to and possibly exceeding 40%. The
guideline describes a new study design that provides companies with
more information on multiple types of toxicity in animals exposed during
critical windows of development. TNO now offers the logistically complex test to customers.

REACH requirements

In order to comply with REACH regulations, the chemical industry has to
conduct extensive research on reproductive and developmental toxicology.
According to the European Chemical Agency at least 90% of the substances on their list of “Testing proposals involving vertebrate animals” still need reproductive toxicological research. At the moment, there are not sufficient in vitro alternatives available. Therefore, scientists have been working on a new OECD guideline that makes in possible to gather more information on reproduction toxicity and immunological and neuronal development while reducing both the number of studies, as well as the total number of animals needed.

TNO performed validation

TNO partnered with the RIVM to develop the new test guideline and worked on getting it accepted and implemented. In addition to generating data on
reproduction toxicity, the test delivers ample information on developmental immunotoxicology and developmental neurotoxicology, thus contributing to another important topic “Safety for children”.

Since TNO was chosen to participate in the validation of the test, TNO and TNO Triskelion have obtained extensive experience in performing the test and

evaluating the results, which is a challenge for reproduction toxicologists. The chemical industry is looking for the best way to meet international guidelines and regulations. TNO can help companies follow this new test protocol and generate data on multiple toxicity endpoints. At the same time, companies can shorten the product development process while making a significant contribution to their efforts to reduce animal testing.

TNO was awarded a publication-award for work in zebrafish on September 9^th by the European Society of Toxicologic Pathology. The winning publication appeared in the scientific journal Toxicologic Pathology.* The zebrafish is a very promising alternative model to study developmental toxicology. Both the EOGRTS and the zebrafish fit seamlessly in TNO’s policy to reduce animal testing while maintaining the highest standards for the predictability of the data.

*Reference:

Menke, A. et al. Normal Anatomy and Histology of the Adult Zebrafish Toxicol Pathol August 2011 39: 759-775

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