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Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of Cu2+ and Zn2+ for Xenopus laevis, assayed by the FETAX procedure
S Q Luo1, M C Plowman, S M Hopfer
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington 06030.
Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science
|March 1, 1993
Abstract:
Cupric chloride (CuCl2) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) were tested by the FETAX (Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay: Xenopus) procedure in the South African frog, Xenopus laevis. The median teratogenic concentrations (EC50) of Cu2+ and Zn2+ were 2.5 and 40 mumol per L. The median embryolethal concentrations (LC50) of Cu2+ and Zn2+ were 22 and 850 mumol per L. The teratogenic indices (TI = LC50/EC50) were 8.8 for Cu2+ and 21 for Zn2+. Both metal ions were shown to be potent teratogens for Xenopus, causing concentration-related increases of eye, gut, facial, notochord, and cardiac anomalies.