Fetal rat development as influenced by maternal lead exposure

The teratogenic and neurologic effects of lead acetate on fetal rat development were investigated. Thirty-six female hooded rats were assigned to 4 treatment groups (0, 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg) and given daily oral doses of lead acetate. Animals were treated for 3 weeks prior to breeding and continuing throughout gestation. Rats were euthanized at day 20 of gestation. Blood sampling indicated that maternal blood lead concentrations in treated dams were maintained during gestation. Lead exposed groups had significant (at least p less than .01) maternal kidney and liver as well as fetal kidney lead content. Conceptus weight was significantly reduced in treatment groups. It was concluded that although significant amounts of lead crossed the placenta, as exemplified by fetal kidney values, no teratogenic response or reduction in fetal brain DNA content was produced in the rat.