Effects of Specific Dosages of Magnesium and Zinc on the Teratogenicity of Cadmium, Nickel, and Cobalt in Embryos, as Assessed by the Fetax Test

• Published in: Dose-response Vol. 6
• Main Authors: Ayper Boga PhD, Seref Erdogan, MD, Yasar Sertdemir PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 01.01.2008
• ISSN: 1559-3258
• DOI: 10.2203/dose-response.05-027.Boga

The objective of this study was to determine if exposure to divalent cations, Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ , and Co 2+ would lead to malformations in Xenopus laevis embryos, and whether addition of Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ ; separately and in combination, would reduce their toxicity and teratogenicity on the embryos of Xenopus laevis as assessed by 96-h FETAX tests. Results indicate that exposure to Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ or Co 2+ lead to an increase in toxicity and teratogenicity in embryos, whereas Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , or a combination of them reduced the toxic and teratogenic effects of these divalent cations. Modulation of Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ or Co 2+ toxicity and teratogenicity by Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ , varied with the metal. Zn 2+ was observed to be a better suppressor of Co 2+ toxicity and teratogenicity than Mg 2+ . In contrast, Ni 2+ , and Cd 2+ teratogenicity was reduced more prominently by Mg 2+ . On the other hand, combination of Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ showed potentialization effect on all divalent cation toxicity and teratogenicity. We concluded that Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ reduced the toxicity and teratogenicity of Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ , Co 2+ .