Effects of cadmium acetate and sodium selenite on mucociliary functions and adenosine triphosphate content in mouse trachea organ cultures.

The effects of cadmium acetate and sodium selenite in mouse trachea organ culture have been studied separately and in combination. Ciliary activity, morphology, rate of total protein and glycoconjugate (i.e.

Recovery of mouse embryos after short-term in vitro exposure to toxic nickel chloride.

The development of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro was adversely affected by the addition of nickel chloride (NiCl2 X 6H2O) to the culture medium. For day 3 (4-8 cell) embryos developmental cessation occurred after 48 h in culture, in NiCl2 X 6H2O-containing medium. However, transfer to NiCl2 X 6H2O-free medium after 5 min, 1 h, and 3 h exposure, resulted in regaining of the developmental capacity for a proportion of the exposed embryos.

Effect of sodium selenite on the ciliary activity, adenosine triphosphate, and protein synthesis in mouse trachea organ cultures.

Trachea from albino mice were cut transversely into nearly identical rings and incubated in medium 199 with Hanks salts and HEPES buffer at 37 degrees C. Sodium selenite at 0.5-5 mM depressed the ciliary activity.

Concentrations of trace elements in human blood serum from different places in Norway determined by neutron activation analysis.

The concentrations of As, Fe, Hg, Sb, Se and Zn in 281 serum samples from people living in nine municipalities in Norway were determined by radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The concentrations of Br, Cl, Cs, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in another set of 157 serum samples from four of the municipalities by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Higher arsenic concentrations were found in the coastal districts than in inland municipalities; otherwise no significant difference in mean values was observed between the districts.

Inhibitory effect of ricin on the development of preimplantation mouse embryos.

Preimplantation mouse embryos were exposed to ricin, a plant toxin, in vitro and in vivo. The effect was evaluated by morphological observations of the exposed embryos as well as by means of protein synthesis. Ricin was highly toxic to the preimplantation mouse embryo in vitro, the effect being greater on the 2-cell than on the 4-8 cell stage.