Fetal toxicity caused by excessive maternal dietary calcium.
The effects of diet-induced maternal hypercalcemia on fetal development were studied in the CD 1 mouse. Female mice were maintained for two weeks on high calcium diets and then mated. The resulting litters were surgically removed one day prior to term and compared to control litters of untreated mice. Fetuses from the treated litters showed significantly lower birth weights and higher frequencies of missing calcification centres in the developing skeletons and dentitions. In addition, centres that had begun to calcify were not as advanced as corresponding centres in the control series. It appears that high calcium intake during pregnancy is fetotoxic and results in decreased fetal weight and retarded skeletal and dental calcification.
Liebgott
B
B
Srebrolow
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D005327:Fetal Resorption / Q000209:etiology; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D014070:Tooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology
D002136:Calcium, Dietary