Conventional Test Method:

Acute Oral LD₅₀

(formerly OECD TG 401, now deleted as a test method)

Alternative Test Method:

Name & Description:

Up-and-Down Procedure

A single dose of test compound is administered orally to single animals in a sequential manner. The first animal is dosed a step below the best preliminary estimates of the LD50. The second animal receives a lower dose (if the first animal dies) or a higher dose (if the first animal survives). The procedure is easiest to apply to materials that produce death within a couple of days.

Validation Status:

EU: Endorsed as equivalent to scientifically validated by ESAC (2006)

US: Endorsed as valid by ICCVAM

Regulatory Status:

OECD: TG 425 (2008)

Effect or Potential Effect on Animal Use:

Reduction
(Reduces the number of animals used per test from 25 to 5-9)

References:

• ECVAM (2007) ESAC statement on the OECD adopted test guidelines for acute oral toxicity testing.
• NICEATM-ICCVAM (2008) Up-and-down procedure for acute oral toxicity.
• OECD (2006) Test No. 425: Acute oral toxicity – up-and-down-procedure, OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 4 Health Effects.

Information Last Updated:

May 2012