Effect of subchronic bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (TBTO) oral administration on haematological parameters in monkeys: a preliminary report.

A preliminary study was conducted on adult male crab-eating monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) orally exposed to bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide (TBTO) at doses of 0 and 160 micrograms/kg/day, 6 days/wk, for 22 wk. No treatment-related signs of toxicity or changes in body weight gain were detected during the course of the study. The haematological analyses performed every 2 wk indicated a decrease in total leucocyte count in the treated animals with significant values in wk 8, 10 and 22 of treatment. No differences from controls were noted in clinical chemistry and total tin concentration in blood. These preliminary data on the toxicity of TBTO in the primate model are intended to be an initial contribution towards a better evaluation of the potential toxicological hazard of TBTO to humans.