Comparison of the clastogenic effects of antimony trioxide on mice in vivo following acute and chronic exposure.

Antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), in aqueous suspension, was administered by gavaging to mice and monitored for chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and sperm head abnormalities in germ cells. Acute exposure to the doses followed by observations after 6, 12, 18 and 24 h did not show any clastogenic effects. Chronic exposure daily to different doses for periods up to 21 days induced chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow. The frequencies were dose-dependent to a significant extent but no relationship could be seen with the sex of the animal. The findings indicate the harmful effects of cumulative exposure for prolonged periods to Sb2O3, which is being increasingly used in various industries.