Experimental Studies of Molybdenum Physiology and Toxicity
Reproductive and developmental toxicity
Sodium molybdate added to the feed of rats from the time of weaning (80 or 140 ppm during 8 weeks) resulted in fewer litters and impaired growth of pups [Jeter and Davis,1954]. The effect of Dietary molybdenum had effects upon the hemoglobin, growth, reproduction and lactation of rats [Jeter and Davis, 1954; Schroeder and Mitchener, 1971]. Sodium molybdate did not induce embryonic toxicity when injected into the yolk sacs of 4- and 8-day-old chick embryos [Ridgway and Karnofsky, 1952]. Radioactive 99Mo administered orally to pregnant sows was not present in the fetus. However, demyelination of the cerebral nervous system was observed in the newborn lambs from pregnant ewes were fed a diet high in molybdate [Mills and Fell, 1960].
Jeter, M. A. and Davis, G. K., J. Nutr., 1954, 54, 215.
Schroeder, H. A., Mitchener, M. and Nason, A. P., J. Nutr., 1971, 101, 247.
Schroeder, H. A. and Mitchener, M., Arch. Environ. Health, 1971, 23, 102.
Ridgway, L. P. and Karnofsky, D. A., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1952, 55, 203.
Mills, C. F. and Fell, B. F., Nature, 1960, 185, 20.
The effect of molybdenum on estrous activity and reproductive hormones: LH, FSH and estradiol in Wistar weanling female rats whose diet was supplemented, inter alia, with 500 ppm Na2MoO4. High dietary Mo prolonged the length of the estrous cycle and altered the cytological characteristics of the different phases of the cycle. Peak values of FSH were significantly lower in molybdenotic animals and Serum E(2) was lower [Igarza et al.,1996].