Alcide@ gel is a germicidal agent which is highly effective in killing a wide range of bacteria and fungi in virro within 1 min. Alcide@ gel consists of sodium chlorite and lactic acid, parts A and B, respectively.
Chlorine dioxide is formed when sodium chlorite and lactic acid, the active ingredients of Alcide@, are mixed. The objective of this investigation was to study the teratogenic effects of Alcide@ gel both in rats and in mice. The gel was administered topically in doses of 1 and 2 g per kg body weight on days 6-15 of gestation. No toxic symptoms were observed following exposure of pregnant rats and mice to Alcide@ gel. Viability of the fetuses as well as weight, length and number of resorptions were quite similar compared with control groups. Fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal anomalies. Some incidence of missing or incompletely ossified sternebrae, missing ribs and incomplete ossification of skull bones were observed from skeletal examination. Castromegaly, kidney agenesis, heart displacement, interatrial septa1 defect, limb hyperflexion and club foot were observed from soft-tissue examination. These defects, however, were not significantly different compared with control animals. Alcide@ gel was not teratogenic at the doses tested.
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EXPERIMENTAL
Mature female Sprague-Dawley rats (225-250 g) were obtained from Taconic Farms, Germantown, New York, and mature female Swiss Webster mice (30-40 g) were obtained from Marland Breeding Farms, Hewitt, New Jersey. Animals were housed in wire mesh bottom cages in environmentally controlled rooms regulated at 25 "C and 50% humidity. The animal rooms were maintained on a 12-h light-dark cycle. Purina laboratory rodent chow and tap water were available ad libitum. A random system was used for choosing the animals for each treatment group.' Untreated rats and mice were mated overnight in the ratio of 1 male : 3 females. Insemination was confirmed by observation of a sperm-positive vaginal smear in rats and a sperm plug in mice. The day on which sperm was found was designated as day 0 of pregnancy. Females that were sperm-positive were weighed and placed in their original cages (three animals per cage) and treated with the appropriate control or test material from day 6 to day 15 of gestation.
Alcidea gel was administered topically to the shaven backs of the rats and mice after mixing equal amounts of parts A and B as follows: