Transplacental transport of gold in rats exposed to sodium aurothiomalate.

The ultrastructural localization of gold in yolk sacs and fetuses from rats exposed to sodium aurothiomalate (Myocrisin, 25 mg/kg intraperitoneally) was examined by a photochemical technique. Gold was found in epithelial cells of the yolk sac and in hepatocytes of the fetuses. Ultrastructurally, gold was located in lysosome-like bodies. Gold was not detected in the kidney or the central nervous system of the fetuses. Maternal liver and kidney were included as controls for efficacy of gold treatment.