Mouse, lethal doses

One unit of antivenin neutralizes one average mouse lethal dose of black widow spider venom when the antivenin and the venom are injected simultaneously in mice under suitable conditions. 

Based on all the above observations, we concluded that peripheral effects on the heart predict the lethal dose for belladonnoids better than do their central effects. This was apparently the case in animals such as the mouse, for which the LD50 had been previously established by direct measurement. EA 3443 and EA 3580, both of which have greater relative central potency in man than BZ, also were found to have higher safety margins in the mouse (and other species). 

If the previous tests do not suffice for a decision, further testing in mammals is indicated. If the purpose is to get mammalian germinal data on whether a substance produces mutations, the specific-locus test is suitable because of its low background rate and the extent to which the test has been performed. It should be recognized, however, that chemicals that yield inconclusive results in short-term tests are likely to yield negative or inconclusive results in mouse tests. The dominant-lethal test may be used if the expected effect is chromosomal. 

Now he has apparently gone one step further with plans to alter the cowpox virus, which can infect humans, in a similar way.34 Buller asserted, however, that this virus would only be lethal in mice and not in humans, because he used the mouse IL-4 gene, which is specific for only the mouse immune system. The head of the Australian research team, Ian Ramshaw, maintains that there is no reason to do the cowpox experiments. He further cautions that while viruses containing the mouse IL-4 gene should not be lethal in humans, recombinant viruses can have unexpected effects.35 Indeed, it has been pointed out36 that these experiments fall into several categories listed by the National Research Council Report as being research of particular concern.37... 

As opposed to the adult male mouse, the adult female mouse is highly resistant to renal alkylation and toxicity by IPO (32). Alkylation by reactive IPO metabolite(s) occurs preferentially in the lungs of female mice over a wide range of doses. Even near-lethal doses of IPO do not cause renal necrosis in female mice. Little ability to produce alkylating metabolites is seen in renal slice preparations from adult female mice. 

Lethality. Dacre and Goldman reported the percutaneous LD50 of SM to be 9 mg kg in the rat, 92 mg kg in the mouse, 20 mg kg in the dog, -100 mg kg in the rabbit, 20 mg kg in the guinea pig and 50 mg kg in the goat, although they do not quote the source for these estimates or the time after exposure when the estimates were made, and no details of the cause of death are given Le. systemic toxicity or as a result of skin injury). 

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