Spinal ossification in mouse embryo is severely compromised by the lead acetate treatment

Background: Bone growth is the vital process that continues throughout the life of living beings. Several pollutants may cause poorer ossification and bone formation. Vertebral ossification is directly correlated to growth, strength and spinal stability therefore the determination of ossification pattern in vertebral column is important to evaluate the bone formation. Bio-accumulation of lead in the body has been known to cause the adverse effects on the bone development through the disruption of mineralization. Methods: The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of lead exposure on the embryonic ossification in mice during development. For this study 28 pregnant female mice were selected and treated with the lead (as lead acetate 0.5 ppm) for 14 and 21 days periods. At the end of the treatment periods pregnant mice were sacrificed and embryos were excised and processed for further analysis. Results: Present study revealed damaged and ruptured spinal ossification center with premature chondrocytes present in lyzed condition in lead treated group compared to control. Conclusions: It is concluded that lead exposure induced bone toxicity that has deteriorated the spinal ossification in the growing mice.