LSD: Autoradiographic Study on the Placental Transfer and Tissue Distribution in Mice
Science – June 13, 1969
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Intravenous administration of 14 C-lysergic acid diethylamide rapidly enters the bloodstream, with significant uptake in organs like the brain, adrenals, and liver. Within five minutes, 2.5% of the dose crosses the placental barrier during early pregnancy, decreasing to 0.5% later on. Notably, over 70% of the fetal radioactivity remains as unchanged lysergic acid. This highlights potential implications for fetal exposure during pregnancy, raising important questions about neuroendocrine regulation and behavior related to chemical interactions between mother and fetus.
Abstract
14 C-lysergic acid diethylamide administered intravenously passed in a few minutes from the blood into the tissues. In addition to the brain, the adrenals, hypophysis, kidneys, liver, and lungs showed the highest uptake, much higher than the blood concentration. Excretion into the bile started immediately; this was the most important elimination route. In the early stage of pregnancy, 2.5 percent (and in the late stage, 0.5 percent) of the radioactive dose passed the placental barrier into the fetus in 5 minutes. Over 70 percent of this fetal radioactivity was unchanged 14 C-lysergic acid diethylamide.