Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of sodium nitrite in Long-Evans rats

Roth, AC; Herkert, GE; Bercz, JP; Smith, MK

HERO ID

4135448

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1987

Language

English

PMID

3692023

HERO ID 4135448
In Press No
Year 1987
Title Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of sodium nitrite in Long-Evans rats
Authors Roth, AC; Herkert, GE; Bercz, JP; Smith, MK
Journal Fundamental and Applied Toxicology
Volume 9
Issue 4
Page Numbers 668-677
Abstract Sodium nitrite administered in the drinking water to Long-Evans rats during pregnancy and lactation severely affected erythropoietic development, growth, and mortality in their offspring. Pregnant rats were maintained throughout gestation on 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 g NaNO2/liter. There were no significant differences between treated and control litters at birth. Thereafter, pups of treated dams on 2 and 3 g NaNO2/liter gained less weight, progressively became severely anemic, and began to die by the third week postpartum. By the second week postpartum, hemoglobin levels, RBC counts, and mean corpuscular volumes of these pups were all drastically reduced compared to controls. Blood smears showed marked anisocytosis and hypochromasia. Gross chylous serum lipemia and fatty liver degeneration were noted. Histopathology demonstrated cytoplasmic vacuolization of centrilobular hepatocytes and decreased hematopoiesis in bone marrow and spleen. Administration of 1 g NaNO2/liter resulted in hematological effects but did not affect growth or mortality. NaNO2 (0.5 g/liter) was at or near the no observed effect level. Cross-fostering indicated that treatment during the lactational period was more instrumental in producing lesions than treatment during the gestational period. The data presented are consistent with the lactational induction of severe iron deficiency in the neonate.
Doi 10.1016/0272-0590(87)90173-4
Pmid 3692023
Wosid WOS:A1987K993700016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English