Neurodevelopmental effects of lanthanum in mice

Mice were exposed to lanthanum chloride in drinking water at 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg/liter concentration prior to conception, during gestation, and until 30 days postnatally. Developing mice were assessed for the development of swimming and walking behavior and ear and eye opening. At 30 days of age the mice were assessed with a standard neurologic scale. Differences were found in the emergence of swimming and walking behavior and ear and eye opening. Differences were also found for touch response and visual placing responses. The brains of lanthanum-exposed mice were also smaller than controls. These findings indicate that lanthanum is a potential behavioral teratogen. Possible mechanisms are discussed.