The protective effect of calcium against genotoxicity of lead acetate administration on bone marrow and spermatocyte cells of mice in vivo

The protective effect of calcium given orally by gavage with two doses (40 and 80 mg/kg body weight) was evaluated against clastogenecity induced by lead acetate with two concentrations (200 and 400 mg/kg diet) on bone marrow and spermatocyte cells of mice in vivo. The parameter screened was percentage of chromosomal aberrations with and without gaps and sperm abnormalities. Statistical analyses indicated the protection efficacy of calcium with the high dose rather than the other in both types of mouse cells. The observation from the laboratory tests, dealing that lead acetate can be considered as an environmental genotoxic material. We recommended that it must be administered of calcium (as calcium chloride) as a protective agent to reduce the genotoxic effect of lead in the somatic and germ cells. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.