Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of Cu2+ and Zn2+ for Xenopus laevis, assayed by the FETAX procedure.
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.
Luo
S Q
SQ
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington 06030.
Plowman
M C
MC
Hopfer
S M
SM
Sunderman
F W
FW
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000139:chemically induced; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000139:chemically induced; D007422:Intestines / Q000002:abnormalities; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009672:Notochord / Q000002:abnormalities; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc