title: Evaluation of the developmental neuroendocrine and reproductive toxicology of aluminium.
abstract: Two experiments evaluating functional endpoints pertaining to the developmental neuroendocrine effects of aluminum in the rat are reported. A total of 31 timed mated dams were fed by daily gastric gavage 0, 5, 25, 50, 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg body weight/day aluminum as a solution of aluminum lactate in distilled water from days 5 to 15 of gestation. The 390 offspring were evaluated for morphological and physiological parameters of reproductive functioning, including birth weight, anogenital distance (AGD), timing of vaginal opening, regularly of oestrous cycles, duration of pseudopregnancy (PSP), number of superovulated oocytes, and gonadal weight. No consistent or reproducible findings suggestive of toxic effect were found in the parameters of birth weight, AGD, timing of vaginal opening, duration of PSP, number of superovulated oocytes, and adult gonadal weight. A temporary increase in the proportion of aberrant oestrous cycles was detected during the first four cycles after vaginal opening, in the 250 mg/body weight/day group, with none by the fifth consecutive oestrous cycle. These results suggest that, apart from a transient disturbance of oestrous cycle regularity, aluminum does not have a developmental reproductive toxic effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ayyash
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Gourley
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000535:Aluminum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005835:Genitalia / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum