THE ROLE OF DIETARY MOLYBDENUM ON ESTROUS ACTIVITY, FERTILITY, REPRODUCTION AND MOLYBDENUM AND COPPER ENZYME-ACTIVITIES OF FEMALE RATS

In this study, we investigated the effect of supplemental molybdenum (Mo) on estrous activity, fertility and reproduction, hepatic xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase (XDH/OX), sulfite oxidase (SOX) and plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) in female SD rats. Weanling female rats were assigned to five dietary treatment groups and fed an AIN-76A diet. They were given deionized water containing either no Mo or Mo at 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg/l. Mo significantly prolonged the estrous cycle when fed 10 mg/l or higher. Gestational weight gain was higher for the controls and the 5 mg/l, than for the 10-100 mg/l treatments. Histological data suggested that Mo supplemented at 10 mg/l or higher delayed fetal esophageal development, transfer of fetal hemopoiesis to bone marrow and myelination in the spinal cord. Intrauterine deaths were few, but the rate of fetal resorption increased with supplementation at 10 mg/l or higher. Mean hepatic XDH/XO, SOX and plasma Cu-Cp activity increased with Mo supplementation. This study suggests that supplemental Mo may influence estrous activity and embryogenesis. Hepatic XDH/OX, SOX and plasma ceruloplasmin may be affected differently in gestating and nongestating animals. © 1990 Pergamon Press plc.