Embryotoxic and Teratogenic Effects of Sodium Molybdate in Rats
Éva Szakmáry1, György Ungváry2, and Veronika Morvai3
1 National Institute for Occupational Health, József Fodor National Center for Public Health, Budapest, Hungary
2 József Fodor National Center for Public Health, Budapest, Hungary
3 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
Corresponding author: Éva Szakmáry, Ph.D.
National Institute for Occupational Health
József Fodor National Center for Public Health
H-1450 Budapest, Hungary
Telephone: (+36) 1-476-1175
Fax number: (+36) 1-215-6891
E-mail: szakmary@fjokk.hu
CEJOEM 2004, Vol.10. No.2.: 158–169
Key words:
Embryotoxicity, internal organ retardation, body mass retardation, minor anomalies
Abstract:
The embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of sodium molybdate, administered by gavage, was studied in pregnant rats. The dams were treated daily
with doses of 0, 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg of the substance dissolved in water, during the whole gestation. The animals were processed on the
day 21 of gestation, using routine teratological methods. Following the last treatment, the concentration of molybdenum was determined in the
maternal and fetal blood as well as in the maternal and fetal organs. On day 11 of gestation, progesterone and 17β-estradiol
concentrations or secretion were determined in the groups of dams treated with the highest dose. The direct fetotoxic effect of the molybdenum salt
was examined in rats treated intraamnially. The postnatal effect of 0 or 150 mg/kg doses of sodium molybdate administered prenatally was
studied in the offspring during the lactation period.
It was found, that the molybdenum salt in the doses applied did not exert a maternal toxic effect; molybdenum got to
the fetal side both transplacentally and paraplacentally and could be demonstrated in the fetal blood, liver, and kidneys in significant
concentrations. A daily dose of 50 mg/kg molybdenum hindered the development of the fetal body mass and skeletal system and caused retardation of
the internal organs. It increased the frequency of minor anomalies of the internal organs, but did not induce major anomalies.
Molybdenum proved to be embryotoxic and slightly teratogenic. Based on the intraamniotic examinations, it was
concluded that mainly the direct cytotoxic effect of molybdenum was responsible for its embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. Molybdenum had no
effect on the secretion of sexual steroids or their peripheral blood levels, playing a significant role in the development of the fetus. The prenatal
molybdenum exposure did not affect the perinatal and survival indices, however, it decreased the body mass gain of the pups during the lactation.
Received: 22 June 2004
Accepted: 1 July 2004
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