Organ retention of gadolinium in mother and pup mice: effect of pregnancy and type of gadolinium-based contrast agents

To investigate the effect of pregnancy and type of gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast agents (GBCAs) on organ retention of Gd in mother and pup mice after maternal administration. Gd-DTPA-BMA (gadodiamide) or Gd-DOTA (gadoterate dimeglumine) was administered (2.0 mmol/kg of maternal weight) four times to pregnant Balb/c mice from gestational day 16-19, respectively. At 28 days after birth, they were euthanized and their organs (blood, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, and bone) were removed for the measurement of Gd by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Gd retention in maternal organs was generally lower than that in the organs of non-pregnant mice in both Gd-DTPA-BMA and Gd-DOTA groups. Significantly higher Gd retention was observed in the organs of pups whose mothers were administered Gd-DTPA-BMA as compared to those whose mothers were administered Gd-DOTA. Tissue-to-muscle ratio in the brains of pups was higher than that of mothers. We demonstrated in utero transplacental Gd retention in pups. In various organs in both mothers and pups, Gd retention was consistently higher for Gd-DTPA-BMA than Gd-DOTA administration. Pregnancy affected Gd retention in many maternal organs.