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Effect of lithium on rat embryos in culture: Growth, development, compartmental distribution and lack of a protective effect of inositol

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Abstract

Lithium chloride (LiCl) was tested at various concentrations (50, 100, 150 and 200 μg/ml) using a rat whole-embryo culture system beginning on gestation day 9.5 (headfold stage) in order to establish a concentration-response relationship. Open neural tubes — as described in former publications (Tesh 1988) — were not induced by lithium. A significant reduction of embryonic growth and development occurred at the lowest concentration tested (50 μg/ml). Clear-cut dysmorphogenetic effects (absence of the eye cup, kink in the spinal anläge, “blebs” at the rostral head region) occurred at a concentration of 150 μg/ml LiCl. LiCl concentrations in the embryo, visceral yolk sac, exocoelomic fluid and medium were determined after the embryos had been cultured for 48 h in the presence of a moderately embryotoxic dose of LiCl (3.5 mEq/l or 150 μg/ml). Medium supplementation withmyo-inositol in different concentrations was ineffective in antagonizing the embryotoxicity induced by LiCl.

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Author notes

  1. Michael Collins

    Present address: Institute of Developmental Research, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Elland and Bethesda Avenues, 45 229, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

  2. Tetsuji Nagao

    Present address: Hatano Research Institute, Food and Drug Center, 729-5 Ochiai, Hadano, 257, Kanagwa, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Toxikologie und Embryopharmakologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Garystrasse 5, W-1000, Berlin 33, Federal Republic of Germany

    Stephan Klug, Michael Collins, Tetsuji Nagao, Hans-Joachim Merker & Diether Neubert

Authors
  1. Stephan Klug
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  2. Michael Collins
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  3. Tetsuji Nagao
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  4. Hans-Joachim Merker
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  5. Diether Neubert
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Klug, S., Collins, M., Nagao, T. et al. Effect of lithium on rat embryos in culture: Growth, development, compartmental distribution and lack of a protective effect of inositol. Arch Toxicol 66, 719–728 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972623

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972623

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