[Toxic effect of lithium salts on the pregnant rat and on the prenatal development of the fetus].

A study was made of toxic effect of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxybutyrate in doses of 160 and 500 mg/kg (1/4 LD50) respectively on pregnant rats and development of fetuses. The doses of both the drugs contained an equal amount of lithium (30 mg/kg). It was established that toxicity of the drugs in pregnancy rises almost two-fold as compared to that seen in non-pregnant animals. At the same time the toxic action of lithium hydroxybutyrate was more powerful than that of lithium carbonate. However, the latter drug was found to have a greater embryotoxicity. Apparently, the differences in toxicity and embryotoxicity of the lithium salts are to a definite measure determined by anionic component of salts.