Uranium developmental toxicity

Domingo JL, Patemain JL, Llobet JM, et al The developmental toxicity of uranium in mice. Arch Environ Health 44 395-398, 1989... 

Domingo, J.L. (2001). Reproductive and developmental toxicity of natural and depleted uranium a review. Reprod. Toxicol. 15 603-9. 

Children s Susceptibility. Specific information is not available on whether children are more susceptible than adults to the effects of uranium. No reports were located describing toxicity in children as the result of uranium exposure. It is probable, however, that if exposure levels were high enough, signs of renal toxicity would be observed similar to that seen in adults exposed accidentally (Zhao and Zhao 1990) or intentionally (Pavlaikis 1996). Data needs relating to development, both pre-natal and post-natal, are discussed in the previous section on Developmental Toxicity. 

The uranyl ion (UO ) is the most stable species, easily forms complexes, which are both well dissolved in water and represent the form present in the mammalian body [154]. It may react with biological molecules to produce cellular necrosis (cell death) and/or atrophy in the tubular walls in the kidneys, resulting in a diminished ability to filter impurities from the blood. There is no data available for long-term effects of uranium-induced developmental toxicity on humans. The information from intermediate-term studies on animals using the uranyl ion, oxides and rarely the metal [155, 156] demonstrate that DU is mutagenic and has neurotoxic properties [157]. 

Oral administration of 3 mg uranium/ %/day as uranyl acetate dihydrate to pregnant mice on gestation days 6-15 caused an increase in fetotoxicity (stunted fetuses, external and skeletal malformations, and developmental variations) and maternal toxicity." In reproductive studies, no adverse effects were observed in testicular function or spermatogenesis in male mice treated with up to 80mg/kg/day uranyl acetate dihydrate for 64 days."... 

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