The embryotoxic response to maternal chromium trioxide exposure in different strains of hamsters

This paper compares the chromium trioxide-induced embryotoxic effects among one noninbred (LVG) and five inbred (CB, LHC, LSH, MHA, PD4) strains of hamsters. A single dose of chromium trioxide (8 mg/kg, iv) was injected into pregnant hamsters on the morning of gestation Day 8. Treated and control animals were killed on gestation Day 15 and studied for the types and incidence of external and internal abnormalities, as well as the frequency of resorption sites per uterus. The embryotoxic effects detected in this study include significant rates of resorptions, external abnormalities, cleft palate, and hydrocephalus. The results indicate that the MHA, LSH, and LVG strains are susceptible, while the CB, LHC, and PD4 strains are resistant to chromium trioxide-induced embryotoxicity. This study was compared with prior work in which the same hamster strains were treated with either cadmium, lead, or mercury.