Teratogenicity of metals to chick embryos

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Abstract
The present study examines the effects of heavy metals on chick embryogenesis. The metals included were cadmium, arsenic, cobalt, copper, indium, iron, manganese, and molybdenum. Salts of each of the metals were dissolved in saline and injected into the air sacs on d 2 of incubation. Dose levels varied with the metal to be tested. Control eggs were injected with an equivalent volume of saline (0.1 ml/egg). On d 14, the live embryos were removed from the eggs and examined for gross malformations. From the LD50 values, the toxicity relationship between the metals is cadmium > arsenic > cobalt > copper > indium > molybdenum > manganese > iron. The LD50 values were 3, 9, 38, 58, 121, 333, 765, and μ85 μg/egg, respectively. The gross malformations observed were reduced body size, micromelia, twisted neck, hemorrhage, everted viscera, and microphthalmia. Arsenic and cobalt were observed to be more teratogenic than other metals. This study showed that the metals tested were both toxic and teratogenic to varying degrees in chick embryogenesis.

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