DOSE-RESPONSE, vol.6, no.1, pp.16-29, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
The objective of this study was to determine if exposure to divalent cations, Cd2+, Ni2+, and Co2+ would lead to malformations in Xenopus laevis embryos, and whether addition of Mg2+ and Zn2+; separately and in combination, would reduce their toxicity and teratogenicity on the embryos of Xenopus laevis as assessed by 96-h FETAX tests. Results indicate that exposure to Cd2+, Ni2+ or Co2+ lead to an increase in toxicity and teratogenicity in embryos, whereas Mg2+, Zn2+, or a combination of them reduced the toxic and teratogenic effects of these divalent cations. Modulation of Cd2+, Ni2+ or Co2+ toxicity and teratogenicity by Mg2+ and Zn2+, varied with the metal. Zn2+ was observed to be a better suppressor of Co2+ toxicity and teratogenicity than Mg2+. In contrast, Ni2+, and Cd2+ teratogenicity was reduced more prominently by Mg2+. On the other hand, combination of Mg2+ and Zn2+ showed potentialization effect on all divalent cation toxicity and teratogenicity. We concluded that Mg2+ and Zn2+ reduced the toxicity and teratogenicity of Cd2+, Ni2+, Co2+.