Which two species are most often used for acute toxicity testing?

Which two species are most often used for acute toxicity testing?

• A. Rodents and dogs
• B. Mice and rabbits
• C. Mice and cats
• D. Nonhuman primates and rabbits

Answer: (B)

Acute toxicity testing relies on using species that provide clear, cost-effective data across common exposure routes. Mice are chosen because they’re small, inexpensive to maintain, breed quickly, and have a long history of standardized toxicity data. This makes it easy to generate reliable results with relatively small amounts of test material and to compare new data to established baselines. Rabbits complement by offering a larger, more observable animal for acute effects, especially when assessing dermal or ocular exposure. Their size allows for more precise dosing and tissue sampling, and their skin and eyes tend to show noticeable responses to a single or short-term exposure, providing meaningful information about potential irritation and systemic toxicity. Together, these two species give a practical balance: broad coverage of common routes of exposure while keeping costs, handling needs, and regulatory interpretability manageable. Other species, such as dogs, cats, or nonhuman primates, are used less routinely for initial acute toxicity testing due to higher costs, ethical considerations, and logistical constraints.

Acute toxicity testing relies on using species that provide clear, cost-effective data across common exposure routes. Mice are chosen because they’re small, inexpensive to maintain, breed quickly, and have a long history of standardized toxicity data. This makes it easy to generate reliable results with relatively small amounts of test material and to compare new data to established baselines.

Rabbits complement by offering a larger, more observable animal for acute effects, especially when assessing dermal or ocular exposure. Their size allows for more precise dosing and tissue sampling, and their skin and eyes tend to show noticeable responses to a single or short-term exposure, providing meaningful information about potential irritation and systemic toxicity.

Together, these two species give a practical balance: broad coverage of common routes of exposure while keeping costs, handling needs, and regulatory interpretability manageable. Other species, such as dogs, cats, or nonhuman primates, are used less routinely for initial acute toxicity testing due to higher costs, ethical considerations, and logistical constraints.