Chronic manganese oxide administration to preweanling rats: Manganese accumulation and distribution

Abstract
Mn accumulation was evaluated in selected tissues of preweanling rats dosed daily with particulate Mn3O4. Significant findings include a high rate of Mn accumulation in the preweanling rat; a Mn dose-related acceleration of postpartum liver Fe depletion; a Mn dose-related depression in red blood cells, hematocrit, Hb, body weight, and survival by 21 day postpartum; and a Mn distribution in tissues with liver > brain .gtoreq. kidney > testes at 18-21 day of age. Environmental implications are discussed.