title: Adverse developmental and reproductive effects of copper deficiency in Xenopus laevis.
abstract: The effect of copper (Cu) deficiency on the reproduction and development in Xenopus laevis was evaluated, culminating in the development of a defined concentration-response relationship. Separate groups of four adult frog pairs were fed one of three diets for 28 d: (1) low-copper (-Cu); (2) copper supplemented (+Cu); and (3) ASTM standard beef liver and lung (BLL). Embryos collected from frogs administered the -Cu diet had markedly decreased egg masses and viability rates and an increased rate of necrosis when compared to the other dietary treatments. Malformations in -Cu larvae included maldevelopment of the heart, eye, craniofacial region, brain, and notochord. Larvae from adults administered the -Cu diet showed delayed abnormal hindlimb development, characterized as selective reductive deficiencies distal to the femur, with poor cartilaginous development. A U-shaped dose-response curve characteristic of nutritional essentiality was developed for Cu. Overall, these studies indicated that embryos produced from frogs administered a -Cu diet are substantially less viable than embryos from frogs administered a +Cu or copper-adequate (BLL) diet.
authors: The Stover Group, Stillwater, OK 74076, USA.
authors: D J
authors: DJ
authors: Fort
authors: E L
authors: EL
authors: Stover
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Lee
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Adams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000196:embryology*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper