Studies on the genotoxicity of molybdenum salts in human cells in vitro and in mice in vivo

Molybdenum is an essential element in plants and animals as a cofactor for enzymes. Molybdenum trioxide is used in metallurgical processes, in cosmetics as a pigment, and in contact lens solution, yet limited information is available on molybdenum genotoxicity. In the present study the micronucleus (MN) assay in human lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow and the dominant lethal assay in mice were used to assess the genotoxic effects of molybdenum salts in vitro and in vivo. Two salts of molybdenum were tested in whole blood cultures. Ammonium molybdate was more potent than sodium molybdate in causing a dose-dependent decrease in viability and replicative index and an increase in MN formation in binucleated lymphocytes (P < 0.001). A dose–response in both kinetochore-positive MN (caused by chromosome lagging) and kinetochore-negative MN (associated with chromosome breakage) was observed. Based on the results of a toxicity study of sodium molybdate, two doses, 200 and 400 mg/kg, were assessed in the bone marrow MN assay in mice (two i.p. injections 24 and 48 hr prior to euthanasia). A modest but statistically significant increase in MN frequency in polychromatic erythrocytes was observed (P < 0.05). The same treatment protocol was used to analyze dominant lethality. A dose-dependent increase in postimplantation loss represented mostly by early resorptions was observed the first week after treatment (P = 0.003). These preliminary data suggest that sodium molybdate induces dominant lethality at the postmeiotic stage of spermatogenesis. Overall, molybdenum salts produced moderately positive results both in vitro in human cells and in vivo in mice. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 32:251–259, 1998 © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.