Teratogenicity selenium

Tellurium is not an essential element, and teUurium compounds are in general more toxic than their selenium counterparts. MetaUic teUurium is known to have a teratogenic effect in rats, though no studies have been done on the toxicity of teUurium donor compounds (35). 

Hoffman, D.J. and G.H. Heinz. 1988. Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of selenium in the diet of mallards. Jour. Toxicol. Environ. Health 24 477-490. 

Lemly, A.D. 1993a. Teratogenic effects of selenium in natural populations of freshwater fish. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety 26 181-204. 

OSHA PEL TWA 0.2 mg(Se)/m3 ACGIH TLV TWA 0.2 mg(Se)/m3 DFG MAK 0.1 mg(Se)/m3 DOT CLASSIFICATION 6.1 Label Poison SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, intracervical, parenteral, and intramuscular routes. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Questionable carcinogen. Human mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Se and Na20. See also SELENIUM COMPOUNDS. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by intramuscular and intraperitoneal routes. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Se and Na20. See also SELENIUM COMPOUNDS. 

Selenium is teratogenic in chickens and sheep the evidence for humans is equivocal. 

Studies of Chinese populations and laboratory animals exposed to high levels of organic and/or inorganic selenium compounds have not found evidence of selective teratogenic effects in mammals. 

No studies have demonstrated that selenium or its compounds are teratogenic in humans. Robertson (1970) reported on the outcome of pregnancies in a laboratory in which workers handled sodium selenite. Of the five pregnancies, four ended in spontaneous abortion and one resulted in an infant with bilateral clubfoot. The urinary selenium levels in all subjects were similar to those in other individuals living in the same area. The limited number of cases, possible exposure to other toxic agents, and other confounding factors leave the relationship between sodium selenite and developmental effects inconclusive. 

Li Y, Sun M, Wu D. 1997. [Effects of combined teratogenic action of selenium and arsenic on rat whole culture in vitro], Wei Sheng Xen Chiu 16(2) 32-34. (Chinese). 

Usami M, Ohno Y. 1996. Teratogenic effects of selenium compounds on cultured postimplantation rat embryos. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 16 27-36. 

Usami M, Tabata H, Ohno Y. 1999a. Effects of ascorbic acid on selenium teratogenicity in cultured rat embryos. Toxicol Lett 105 123-128. 

UsAMi M, Tabata H and Ohno Y (2002) Effects of methionine on selenium embryotoxicity in cultured rat embryos. Teratogen Carcinogen Mutagen 22 301-308. 

Ethyl alcohol is found in alcoholic beverages and is a known teratogenic material, which is the reason doctors tell pregnant women not to drink alcohol. When a mother drinks, the unborn child drinks as well. Ethyl alcohol causes growth failure and impaired brain development. Unborn children exposed to alcohol may suffer the effects of Eetal Alcohol Syndrome when they are bom. Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome include sleep disturbance, jitteriness, a higher incidence of impaired vision and hearing, lack of motor coordination, balance problems, abnormal thyroid function, and a decrease in immune system effectiveness. Additional teratogens include heavy metals, methyl mercury, mercury salts, lead, thallium, selenium, penicillin, tetracyclines, excess Vitamin A, and carbon dioxide. 

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