Figure 6: Gadolinium assay using ICP-MS, in placentae and fetuses from animals injected with Multihance^® (A; n = 8) and liposome Gd (B; n = 6).

Gd concentration is presented at two time-points (45 minutes and 90 minutes post injection for Multihance^®, 45 minutes and 72 hours for liposomal Gd). The detection limit is 0.318 nmol/g tissue and is shown by horizontal line. The error bars represent standard error of the mean. Note that the ordinate is plotted on a logarithmic scale, in order to insure visibility of the otherwise very low fetal concentrations following injection of liposomal Gd. Two fetal samples at the 45 minute time point following liposomal Gd injection yielded a Gd measurement above the detection limit, however, it is not possible to rule out the possibility of a small amount of placental tissue contaminating the fetal tissue during excision. All other liposomal Gd samples were below the detection limit. All samples following Multihance^® injection were above the detection limit.