Abstract
The author conducted feeding tests to determine the acute toxicity of DHA and sorbic acid for D.D. strain of mice and rabbits. In rabbits, hematological and histopathological studies were made to determine the toxicity.
The following results were obtained :
1. The LD50 of mice fed orally with DHA was found to be 1.72g/kg. and the 95% reliable range was 1.26 to 2.33g /kg. An accurate determination of the LD50 for sorbic acid was not available because the tolerable dose was too great but it should be greater than 8.5g /kg.
2. In the daily feeding tests with DHA and sorbic acid, significant decrease in body weight, number of erythrocytes, specific gravity of the whole blood, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels was seen only in the group fed 0.23g /kg. of DHA daily. However, no changes were found in the number of leucocytes, specific gravity of the plasma, blood sugar, resistance of the erythrocytes, urine values, K, Na, and Ca values of the serum.
3. Pathological examinations revealed toxic manifestations chiefly in the liver and spleen. The gastric mucosa showed a picture of catarrhal inflammation. No significant changes were found in the other organs.
