Effects of oral meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) administration on late gestation and postnatal development in the mouse

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) on late gestation and postnatal viability and growth in the mouse. DMSA was given po to four groups of pregnant Swiss mice at 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day from day 14 of pregnancy until postnatal day 21. At birth, the following data were recorded: length of gestation, number of live, dead, and abnormal pups, sex, and individual pup weights. Each pup was weighed again on day 4, 14, and 21 of lactation. Pinna detachment, incisor eruption and eye opening were also monitored. No treatment-related signs of toxicity were noted in any of the dams during the study. No adverse effects on offspring survival or development were evident in the 200 or 400 mg DMSA/kg/day groups. However, on days 14 and 21 of lactation a significant decrease in pup body weight was observed in the 800 mg/kg/day group. Also, a significant increase in the relative weight of the brain was seen in this group. The "no observable effect level" (NOEL) for health hazards to the developing pup was greater than 400 mg/kg/day. This dose is higher than the amounts of DMSA usually given in the treatment of human heavy metal intoxications.