Comparison of the clastogenic effects of antimony trioxide on micein vivo following acute and chronic exposure

Antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃), in aqueous suspension, was administered by gavaging to mice and monitored for chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and sperm head abnormalities in germ cells. Acute exposur to the doses followed by observations after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h did not show any clastogenic effects. Chronic exposure daily to different doses for periods up to 21 days induced chromosornal aberrations in bone marrow. The frequencies were dose-dependent to a significant extent but no relationship could be seen with the sex of the animal. The findings indicate the harmful effects of cumulative exposure for prolonged periods to Sb₂O₃, which is being increasingly used in various industries.