DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY OF CESIUM IN THE MOUSE

1. Maternal intake of 1 mEq CsCl in drinking water at conception until weaning the offspring mice resulted in certain maternal mediated neon atal and developmental toxicity. 2. Initial reduction in body and brai n weights were determined in male offspring due to maternal exposure t o Ca salt before they attained the control levels. 3. Offspring from b oth sexes showed increased spleen weight from control as a consequence of maternal exposure to Cs. This may precipitate delayed immunotoxici ty. 4. Maternal Cs exposure did not alter litter size or specific acti vities of offspring heart lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes from respec tive controls. 5. Maternal exposure to Cs altered specific activities of offspring liver alcohol- and aldehyde dehydrogenase during developm ent compared to controls. 6. The results indicate neonatal and develop mental toxicity of Cs as a function of maternal intake of CsCl during pregnancy and breast feeding.