Vanadium, reproductive toxicity

Reproductive Toxicity. No data exist on reproductive effects on humans from exposure to vanadium by any exposure route. One animal study shows that vanadium did not affect reproductive parameters in rats following oral exposure (Domingo et al. 1986). Since vanadium is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (Conklin et al. 1982 Roschin et al. 1980) and skin (WHO 1988), exposure by these routes is unlikely to be a health risk in humans. Toxicokinetic studies in humans (Schroeder et al. 1963) and reliable studies in animals (Edel and Sabbioni 1988) do not indicate that the reproductive system accumulates vanadium. Humans are most likely to be exposed to vanadium in the air, but the reproductive system does not appear to be a sensitive target of vanadium toxicity. Further studies would not appear to be particularly useful. 

LiobetJM Colomina MT, SirventJJ, Domingo JL and Corbella J (1993) Reproductive toxicity evaluation of vanadium in nude mice. Toxicology 80 199-206. 

Both V(IV) and V(V) have been found to have reproductive and developmental toxic effects in rodents. In addition to decreased fertility, lethal effects to embryos, toxicity to fetuses, and teratogenicity have been observed in mice, rats, and hamsters exposed to vanadium.3... 

Domingo, J.L., Vanadium a review of the reproductive and developmental toxicity, Reprod. Toxicol., 10, 175-182, 1996. 

ACGIH TLV TWA 0.05 mg(V205)/m3 NIOSH REL (Vanadium Compounds) CL 0.05 mg(V)/mVl5M SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. Experimental reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NaaO and VOx. See also VANADIUM COMPOUNDS. 

Fly ash from municipal waste and industrial waste incinerators contains polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), including tetrachlorodibenzo-/j-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), which are lipophiles, and heavy metals, including chromium, copper, manganese, vanadium, and lead, which are hydrophilesJ29-31 These chemicals have multiple toxicities and are known to impact the human liver, immune system, respiratory system, thyroid, male reproductive function, and CNS J32 34l Several are human carcinogensJ32 35 Enhanced toxic effects are observed in the mixtures of some of theseJ21,22 36 The mixtures of toxicants present in fly ash are complex and the mechanisms for their action on the human body are largely unknown. It is known that occupational exposure to fly... 

Reproductive Effects. Autopsy data have not provided detectable levels of vanadium in human reproductive organs. It is unlikely that the reproductive system is a sensitive indicator for vanadium toxicity in humans. Only one animal study was located that specifically tests the effects of vanadium on reproduction. In this well-conducted rat study, no adverse effects on fertility, reproduction, or parturition were noted when male and female rats were exposed to sodium metavanadate and then mated. 

Zinc deficiency places an increased demand on selenium (Se) pools in daphnids. As little as 5.0 p,g Se/L in zinc-free water eliminated overt cuticle damage and substantially increased reproduction, but did not alter the shortened life span. Cladocerans at the threshold of selenium deficiency will become overtly selenium-deficient when zinc supplies are lacking. Insufficient copper introduces cuticle problems in daphnids similar to those introduced by insufficient zinc or selenium, increasing the likelihood of a proposed relation between glutathione peroxidase (which contains selenium), and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. High levels of dietary tin increased zinc loss from rats. Zinc prevented toxic effects of vanadium (lO.Omg/kg BW) on bone metabolism of weanling rats. 

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