[A study for effects on pre- and postnatal development, including maternal function in rats treated subcutaneously with magnesium sulfate].

Abstract

Magnesium sulfate, at dose levels of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg, was administered subcutaneously three times daily to Crj:CD(SD) female rats from day 15 through day 20 of gestation. The effects of the compound on dams and F1 animals were examined. In the dams, decreased food consumption was observed in the 500 and 1000 mg/kg groups. Hypolocomotion, pronation, bradypnea and decreased body weight gain were observed in the 1000 mg/kg group. But there were no effects on the delivery or lactation conditions and necropsy from administration of the test article. In the F1 animals, low body weight, delays in differentiation (eruption of lower incisor, opening of eyelid) and reversible change in ribs (wavy rib) were observed in the 1000 mg/kg group. But there were no effects from administration of the test article in viability, functional examinations, behavior tests or reproductive ability. Based on the above results, under the conditions of this study, it was concluded that the non-toxic dose levels for general toxicological effects on dams was 3 x 250 mg/kg/day, for reproductive ability of dams was 3 x 1000 mg/kg/day, and for development of F1 animals was 3 x 500 mg/kg/day.