Influence oe calcium disodium edetate on the toxic effects of lead administration in pregnant rats.

Adverse effects of lead on mothers and foetal development along with lead distribution and their alteration by calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (CaNa2EDTA) were investigated in pregnant rats. The number of fetal resorption and abnormal fetuses increased and the number of live fetuses per dam and fetal weight decreased along with increase in liver, kidney, blood, brain and fetus lead levels by lead administration. The treatment with CaNa2EDTA significantly reduced these effects of lead. However, the chelating agent enhanced the placental level of lead. Neither lead nor CaNa2EDTA altered the zinc levels of maternal organs, placenta or fetus. The results suggest that many adverse effects of lead in pregnant rats can be favourably reduced by CaNa2EDTA.