Cytotoxicity of zinc chloride in mice in vivo

Abstract

Intraperitoneal administration of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) to Swiss albino mice in vivo induced a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations of the bone-marrow cells at all concentrations used following acute (7.5, 10, 15 mg/kg body weight) and chronic (2.0, 3.0 mg/kg body wt) treatment. The degree of clastogenicity was directly proportional to the concentrations (p≤0.05, trend test) and indirectly to the period of treatment (p≤0.05, ANOVA test). It induced a dose-dependent, statistically significant increase (Mann-Whitney U statistics, student'st-test) in sperm-head abnormalities. The data designate ZnCl₂ as a potent clastogen and as a toxic chemical at the concentrations used.