Evaluation of gadolinium-based contrast agents in pregnant CD-1 mice and subsequent in utero exposure of the developing offspring, including behavioral evaluations

Introduction: The offspring of CD-1 mice exposed during pregnancy to one of seven gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) were evaluated for potential effects on postnatal development and behavior. The GBCAs, comprising four linear (gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadodiamide, gadobenate dimeglumine, and gadoxetate disodium) and three macrocyclic (gadoterate meglumine, gadoteridol, and gadobutrol), were administered via intravenous injection once daily from Gestation Day 6 through 17 following confirmed mating (Day 0) at doses of at least twice the human equivalent recommended clinical dose (i.e., 0.63 mmol Gd/kg for gadoxetate disodium and 2.5 mmol Gd/kg for the other GBCAs). All dams were allowed to deliver naturally. F0 generation females were monitored for maternal toxicity and gadolinium (Gd) levels in blood and brain. Offspring were evaluated for Gd levels in blood and brain at birth and on Day 70 postpartum. F1 generation mice were evaluated for survival and growth preweaning. Selected pups/litter were evaluated postweaning for sexual maturation, growth, and behavior. Gd was quantifiable in the brain of the F1 offspring on PND 1, with levels declining over time. There was no long-term effect of any GBCA on the growth and development of any offspring. There was no impact on neurodevelopment, as assessed by brain histology and validated neurobehavioral tests, including a battery of functional observational tests, motor activity, and learning and memory as evaluated in the Morris water maze.Conclusion: At the end of the postweaning period, the highest dose tested was considered the no-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) in the F0 and F1 offspring for all tested GBCAs.