Teratogenic effects of magnesium deficiency in rats
Hurley, L.S.; Cosens, G.; Theriault, L.L.
Journal of Nutrition 106(9): 1254-1260
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 956908 Document Number: 101589
The effect of severe Mg deficiency on plasma Mg concentrations in pregnant and nonpregnant rats and on reproduction was studied. Mg deficiency produced a rapid fall in plasma Mg concentration, in both pregnant and nonpregnant rats. At term, all implantation sites of pregnant rats on the severely Mg-deficient diet showed total foetal resorption. When pregnant rats were given the Mg-deficient diet between days 6 and 14 of gestation, there was a high incidence of resorptions and gross malformations were seen in term foetuses. The results showed the rapidity of the effects of severe Mg deficiency in pregnant rats and indicate the importance of the element for embryonic development.