[Teratogenic study of Spirulina in mice].

The embryotoxic and fetotoxic potential of Spirulina was investigated in mice. The algae was given to pregnant animals at the levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30 g/100 in the diet through days 7-13, 1-13 and 1-19 of gestation. On day 19, the rats were sacrificed, and the uterine horns were examined for live, dead and resorbed fetuses. The live fetuses were weighed and examined for external malformations and either skeletal or visceral abnormalities. With the litter as the unit of analysis and when the total number of fetuses affected was considered, no significant difference was found in the number of resorbed or malformed among groups. These results indicate that the feeding of pregnant mice with algae, up to a dietary level of 30 g/100, did not evoke any signs of embryotoxic effects. The Spirulina levels tested in this study represent exaggeration over any anticipated human consumption.