Maternally-mediated developmental lithium toxicity in the mouse

Abstract 1. 1. Breast fed maternally-mediated developmental LiCl toxicity was determined in mice offspring as a function of offspring's gender and duration of maternal intake of LiCl (1 mEq). 2. 2. The female offspring were more sensitive than the males to major organ weight changes by maternal exposure to LiCl. 3. 3. Maternal intake of LiCl from preconception until weaning of the nurslings induced offspring hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase and heart lactate dehydrogenase in both sexes which was isoenzyme specific for the latter. 4. 4. The offspring also showed induction of liver aldehyde dehydrogenase but only as consequence of postnatal exposure to LiCl. 5. 5. The results indicate offspring developmental toxicity as a consequence of maternal exposure to Li salts and breast feeding.