蝉棒束孢子实体的致畸性评价及对高血糖小鼠血糖的影响

对妊娠第7-16天Wistar大鼠连续给予口服蝉棒束孢子实体低、中、高3个剂量（0.85、1.70、3.40g/kg）10d,观察给药组对大鼠孕期体重、死胎率、吸收胎率、活胎数、每窝平均胎仔数、胎鼠重、胎鼠身长、前囟宽度、子宫连胎重及胎鼠外观、内脏发育、骨骼发育的影响,研究妊娠动物接触蝉棒束孢子实体后引起的致畸可能性。对正常小鼠、STZ致高血糖模型小鼠给予口服不同剂量的人工培植蝉棒束孢子实体（0.4、0.25、0.125g/kg）,测定空腹血糖及糖耐量,评价蝉棒束孢子实体的降血糖作用。结果表明：与阴性对照组相比,人工培植蝉棒束孢子实体各剂量组在大鼠孕期体重、死胎率、吸收胎率、胎鼠重、胎鼠身长和前囟宽度、胎鼠外观、内脏和骨骼发育等方面均无显著性差异（P>0.05）;与模型对照组（0g/kg BW）相比,人工培植蝉棒束孢子实体中、低两个剂量组均能降低STZ致高血糖模型小鼠给葡萄糖后0.5h血糖水平（P<0.05）,低剂量组能明显降低高血糖模型小鼠0-2h血糖曲线下面积,且对小鼠体重及正常小鼠空腹血糖均无不良影响。提示人工培植蝉棒束孢子实体对大鼠无明显的母体毒性、胚胎毒性和致畸性;对高血糖小鼠具有降血糖的作用。     

氧氟沙星对小鼠生殖毒性和致畸性的研究

目的研究氧氟沙星对昆明系小鼠胚胎和胎鼠发育的影响,确定其是否存在生殖毒性和致畸性。方法①雄鼠分别灌服各剂量氧氟沙星,连续10d,末次给药24h后与母鼠合笼,在妊娠第三天取胚胎,记录各剂量组胚胎发育率。②孕鼠妊娠零天给药,分别经口灌服高、中、低剂量[36、72和360mg(kg.bw)]氧氟沙星溶液,连续给药3d,在妊娠第三天收集胚胎,记录胚胎发育率。③孕鼠妊娠零天给药,分别经口灌服各剂量氧氟沙星溶液,连续给药10d,在妊娠第16天取出胎鼠,记录胎鼠体重、胎盘重、活胎数、胎鼠外观畸形和内脏畸形等指标。结果给药组与对照组相比,雄鼠服用高剂量组360mg(kg.bw)氧氟沙星对着床前胚胎发育影响显著(P<0.05),而中等剂量和低剂量组对着床前胚胎发育的影响不显著(P>0.05)。雌鼠服用不同剂量氧氟沙星对着床前胚胎发育影响不显著(P>0.05)。氧氟沙星对受孕鼠的活胎数和吸收胎数均无明显影响,给药组的活鼠体重、胎盘重均未见明显差异(P>0.05);药物组和对照组均未出现外观畸形和内脏畸形,也不存在剂量和效应关系。结论孕鼠服用不同剂氧氟沙星对昆明系小鼠胚胎和胎鼠发育无明显的影响,表明氧氟沙星对雌性鼠不具有明显的生殖毒性和致畸性;但雄鼠服用高剂量氧氟沙星对着床前胚胎发育影响显著。     

牛初乳的安全性毒理学实验研究

目的：评价牛初乳的安全性。方法：按照《保健食品检验与评价技术规范（2003版）》进行急性经口毒性试验、Ames试验、骨髓细胞微核试验、精子畸形试验和大鼠30d喂养试验等毒理学安全评价试验。结果：牛初乳大鼠经口急性毒性试验中MTD值＞15.0g/kg·BW。小鼠骨髓微核试验、Ames试验、小鼠精子致畸试验对牛初乳样品没有致突变的作用。大鼠30d喂养试验各项指标也均未见明显毒性反应：对照组和各剂量组大鼠的生长发育均未见异常,血液学、血液生化、主要脏器重量、脏器系数均在正常值范围内,组织病理学检查未见与受试物有关的异常改变。结论：牛初乳属于无毒级、不会引起突变,大鼠30d喂养试验各项指标也均未见明显毒性反应。     

大鼠孕期染镉对胎鼠心脏毒性作用的初步研究

目的:探讨SD大鼠孕期染镉,对胎鼠发育及心脏发生的毒性作用。方法:24只健康SD孕鼠随机分为对照组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组。在孕期第7、10、13天,对照组腹腔注射等量生理盐水,其余三组腹腔注射不同浓度的氯化镉(CdCl2)溶液。怀孕第21d观察胎鼠死胎率、心脏畸形情况;生物化学方法检测胎鼠心脏组织LDH酶活性及总蛋白含量;酶组织化学及免疫组织化学结合图像分析技术检测LDH活性的变化。结果:①高剂量组死胎率比对照组高,差异显著(P<0.01),低、中剂量组与对照组死胎率无差异(P>0.05)。活胎鼠及死胎鼠心脏,肉眼下均未见明显外观和内部分隔畸形。②中剂量组和高剂量组胎鼠心脏LDH活性比对照组显著升高(P<0.01)。③中剂量组、高剂量组胎鼠心脏总蛋白含量明显减少,与对照组差异明显(P<0.01)。结论:①孕鼠氯化镉摄入量达到一定阈值时可明显导致胚胎死亡,具有胚胎毒性,但肉眼下胎鼠心脏无明显的畸形。②氯化镉能增加胎鼠心脏LDH的活性,并存在剂量依从性。③氯化镉能抑制胎鼠心脏总蛋白的生成,对胎鼠具有心脏毒性作用。     

三聚氰胺对SD孕鼠及胎鼠的毒作用

为阐明三聚氰胺对孕鼠和胎鼠毒性作用,将40只SD孕鼠随机分为高剂量组(Ⅰ)、中剂量组(Ⅱ)、低剂量组(Ⅲ)及空白对照组(Ⅳ),共4组,于妊娠第6~19天,分别经口灌服800 mg/kg·d、200 mg/kg·d、20 mg/kg·d和0 mg/kg·d三聚氰胺混悬液。染毒期间,观察孕鼠中毒表现,以及不同妊娠时间体重变化;于妊娠第20天处死母鼠,检测血清尿素氮、肌酐及尿酸,胎鼠及胎盘重量等指标;观察母鼠和胎儿肾脏、胎盘组织病理变化。结果显示,在染毒期,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组母鼠出现精神差等症状;与Ⅳ组相比,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组母鼠、胎鼠和胎盘重量,血液生化指标有显著或极显著差异(P0.05或P0.01),且Ⅰ、Ⅱ组母鼠、胎鼠肾脏以及胎盘有明显病理变化;但3个剂量水平的三聚氰胺对胚胎的存活无影响,也不产生致畸作用。     

孕期高果糖摄入对胚胎发育和胎盘血管因子的研究

目的：探讨孕期高果糖摄入对胚胎发育的影响及胎盘血管因子对其影响的机制。方法：成年雌性SD大鼠与正常饮食雄性大鼠进行交配,孕鼠随机分为5组,分别是对照组、正常剂量果糖组、高剂量果糖组、高剂量蔗糖组和超高剂量果糖组,在孕期分别给予1mL去离子水、1.6g/kg、4.8g/kg、4.5g/kg和8.0g/kg的果糖水和蔗糖水灌胃,连续干预3w,于第3w末处死孕鼠,麻醉、取血并剖取胎鼠,检查胎鼠的一般状况、着床、死胎、吸收胎、外观畸形等,制作子代内脏和骨骼标本,观察内脏和骨骼的情况;称量胎重和胎盘重,观察各组间胎盘血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、血管内皮生长因子受体-1（sFlt-1）和一氧化氮（NO）的变化。结果：对孕鼠连续进行3w的果糖干预后,超高剂量果糖组子代出生体重显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）;高剂量果糖组、高剂量蔗糖组和超高剂量果糖组子代与对照组和正常剂量果糖组相比,死胎数和吸收胎数显著增加（P＜0.05）;但各组子代并没有发生骨骼畸形和内脏出血。超高剂量果糖组胎盘重量显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）;高剂量果糖组、高剂量蔗糖组和超高剂量果糖组胎盘中VEGF和NO水平显著低于对照组和正常剂量果糖组（P＜0.05）;胎盘中sFlt-1水平明显高于对照组和正常剂量果糖组（P＜0.05）。结论：孕期高果糖摄入可增加子代发生死胎和吸收胎等不良结局的风险,胎盘中VEGF、NO的水平降低和sFlt-1水平增高可能是导致子代发生不良结局的原因,具体机制值得深入研究。     

全氟辛烷磺酸盐对胚胎期大鼠雄性生殖系统的影响

目的:研究全氟辛烷磺酸盐(PFOS)对胚胎期大鼠雄性生殖系统发育的影响.方法:PFOS分别以5、10、20 mg· kg-1·d-1灌胃染毒孕12-19天的SD母鼠,染毒结束后,测量雄性胎鼠体重、身长、睾丸重量、AGD;酶联免疫吸附法检测雄性胎鼠睾丸内睾酮水平;实时荧光定量PCR法测睾丸组织类固醇激素合成急性调节蛋白(StAR)、胰岛素样因子3(INSL3)mRNA的相对表达量.结果:与对照组相比,高剂量染毒组雄性胎鼠体重、体长、AGD长度显著降低(P＜0.01),睾丸重量减轻(P＜0.05);高剂量染毒组雄性胎鼠睾丸中内睾酮水平下降(P＜0.05);高剂量染毒组雄性胎鼠睾丸组织中StAR mRNA的表达量降低(P＜0.05),而中剂量染毒组StAR mRNA和INSL3 mRNA表达量则明显升高(P＜0.01).结论:孕期染毒PFOS对雄性胚胎生殖系统的发育有毒性作用,其机制可能与PFOS影响睾酮合成和INSL3 mRNA的表达有关.     

小鼠宫内移植恶性肿瘤H22的实验研究

为了观察恶性肿瘤细胞处于宫内中晚期胚胎环境对胎鼠发育影响及恶性肿瘤的生物学行为,将8×106的H22细胞数量移植到胎鼠的羊膜腔(D9-D12)和腹腔(D13-D18),观察移植H22后的胎鼠分娩、新生鼠发育状况和荷瘤情况.结果发现,被移植H22的胚胎(D9-D18)能够继续在孕鼠子宫中发育至分娩,新生鼠无发育异常,新生鼠继续发育成熟,发育同正常鼠比较无异常,且一直无腹水荷瘤,H22荷瘤标志物AFP放射免疫法(radio-immunityRI)测定为阴性,RT-PCR法检测AFP阴性.     

孕期大鼠暴露PFOS对胎鼠肝脏毒性的影响

目的:研究在孕期暴露PFOS对胎鼠的肝脏毒性的影响.方法:将孕期为12天的16只SD雌性大鼠,随机分为4组给予不同剂量的PFOS[0(对照),5,10,20 mg·kg-1],连续灌胃7天,在GD19天时对母鼠和胎鼠的体重、胎鼠肝脏的生化指标、母鼠血清的生化指标进行了相应的检测.结果:与对照组相比,母鼠体重在20 mg·kg-1组显著下降(P＜0.001);胎鼠的体重和体长在20mg·kg-1组显著下降(P＜0.001);胎鼠的肝脏重量降低,呈剂量依赖性,并伴有肝细胞浊肿、变性甚至坏死;10 mg· kg-1组胎鼠肝脏中的酶活性(ALT、AST、GGT和ALP等)显著升高(P＜0.001);母鼠血清的大部分生化指标未发生明显变化.结论:孕期大鼠暴露在PFOS的环境下会严重损伤胎鼠的肝脏功能.     

胎仔数与父本缺失对棕色田鼠幼仔体重发育的影响

室内饲养条件下,测量了出生后不同发育阶段棕色田鼠Microtus mandarinus的体重,并探讨了胎仔数(分别为1只、2只、3只和4只)及父本缺失(母鼠单独抚育)对幼仔体重发育的影响.结果表明,棕色田鼠出生后第一周体重的瞬时生长率最高,此后逐步下降;出生后28～35 d,体重增益最大(P<0.05).出生后7 d,不同胎仔数的体重没有明显差异,但至断乳时(出生后21 d),胎仔数为2只的幼仔平均体重明显高于其它胎仔数的平均体重(P<0.05).与双亲抚育相比,母鼠单独抚育的幼仔在断乳时的体重明显下降(P<0.05).这些结果说明,哺乳期内棕色田鼠幼仔的体重发育与胎仔数有关.由于棕色田鼠是单配制,双亲育幼,父本雄鼠的缺失减少了亲本投资,影响了幼仔的身体发育.     

The effects of feed restriction during organogenesis on embryo-fetal development in the rat

BACKGROUND: Given the role of nutrition and body weight gain in normal development, pharmaceuticals intended to reduce appetite and promote weight loss will generate safety data that may be challenging to interpret. To aid with this, the effects of feed restriction and subsequent body weight reductions on embryo-fetal development were investigated in the rat. METHODS: Groups of 20 timed pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were offered Certified Rodent Diet 5002 either ad libitum or in restricted amounts of 20, 15, 10, and 7.5 g/day from Gestation Day (GD) 6-17. Clinical signs, body weights, and food consumption were recorded. Cesarean sections were performed on GD 21 and fetuses were sexed, weighed, and examined for external, visceral, and skeletal development. RESULTS: Mean maternal body weights at the end of the feed restriction period, GD 18, were reduced 0.87 x, 0.80 x, 0.69 x, and 0.63 x control mean in the 20, 15, 10, and 7.5 g/day groups, respectively. Mean body weight gains for the restriction period inclusive, GD 6-18, were 0.49 x and 0.24 x control at 10 and 7.5 g/day, respectively, and a mean body weight loss occurred at 10 and 7.5 g/day (0.95 x and 0.85 x mean GD 6 body weight, respectively). Fetal body weights were reduced 0.95 x, 0.93 x, 0.90 x, and 0.76 x control at 20, 15, 10, and 7.5 g/day, respectively. This resulted in a reduction in gravid uterine weight at 10 and 7.5 g/day. There were no external, visceral, or skeletal malformations attributed to feed restriction. There was an increase in the skeletal variation of wavy ribs and a decrease in ossification at 7.5 g/day. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that feed restriction-induced reductions in maternal gestational body weight gain of approximately 50% compared to ab lib fed rats only caused a reduction in fetal body weight. Even up to a 15% maternal gestational body weight loss had no effect on embryo viability in rats, but retarded fetal growth significantly enough to induce minor changes in skeletal development. There were no external, visceral, or skeletal malformations associated with any of the levels of maternal body weight reduction or loss.     

Studies of 50 Hz circularly polarized magnetic fields of up to 350 microT on reproduction and embryo-fetal development in rats: exposure during organogenesis or during preimplantation

Groups of mated female Sprague-Dawley rats were simultaneously exposed to 0 (sham exposed), 7, 70, or 350 microT (rms) circularly polarized 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) for 22 h/day on gestational day 8-15, the period of rat fetal organogenesis (organogenesis study) or from day 0 to day 7 of gestation, the rat preimplantation period (preimplantation study). Developmental toxicity was assessed on gestational day 20. Identical experiments were repeated to confirm reproducibility of both studies. In both studies, statistically significant differences between exposed and sham exposed animals were observed in several measured parameters; however, these differences only appeared in one, but not both replicate experiments and generally at only an isolated exposure level. Because these differences were not reproducible and did not show a dose response relationship, they were not considered related to MF exposure. In the organogenesis study, lower kidney weights of dams were seen at 70 and 350 microT in Experiment 1. Lower dam liver weights and lower mean body weights of viable female and male fetuses were seen at 70 microT in Experiment 2. Otherwise, there were no differences in these parameters or in group means for fetal loss after implantation, number of viable fetuses, fetal body weight and sex ratio, incidences of external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities or variations, or tissue abnormalities after histopathological examination. In the preimplantation study, dam health and indices for reproduction and embryo-fetal development, including pre or postimplantation loss, number and body weight of live fetuses, and sex ratio, external, skeletal abnormalities and variations, and skeletal ossification did not differ. Dam inorganic phosphorous concentration at 350 microT was elevated in one experiment and depressed in another. In one experiment, visceral abnormalities, primarily thymic remnant in neck and accessory liver lobe, were increased in the 7 microT group. Based on these results from two studies, we conclude that circularly polarized 50 Hz MF exposure of up to 350 microT during the fetal organogenesis or during the preimplantation period does not affect reproduction and embryo-fetal development in Sprague-Dawley rats.     

Teratogenicity of carbamazepine in rats

The teratogenicity of carbamazepine (CBZ) was investigated in Sprague-Dawley CD rats at doses of 0, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg administered by gavage in corn oil on days 7-18 of gestation in a dosage volume of 2 ml/kg. The CBZ-600 dose was maternally toxic in that dams in this group weighed 30.6% less than controls by E20. This group had significantly increased resorptions, reduced live fetal weight (51.6% less than controls), and increased skeletal and visceral abnormalities. The CBZ-400 dose also significantly reduced maternal weight gain during gestation to 26.6% less than controls by E20. No significant increase in resorptions occurred in this group; live fetuses weighted 42.9% less than controls and showed an increase in visceral, but not skeletal, abnormalities. The CBZ-200 dose did not significantly affect maternal weight gain or increase resorptions or fetal abnormalities but did reduce fetal body weight (20.3% less than controls). Maternal serum total CBZ concentrations 1 hr after the final dose were 22.9, 27.9, and 34.4 micrograms/ml for the 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg groups, respectively. These levels were little changed 6 h post-treatment. CBZ was 65-70% serum protein bound across dose groups. Human therapeutic levels of CBZ are 4-12 micrograms/ml and the drug is typically 80% serum protein bound. This suggests that abnormalities in rats occur at concentrations well above the human therapeutic range. However, a no-effect level was not found for fetal body weight. Further experiments will be required to determine how much lower doses will need to be in order to find a no-effect level for fetal body weight. Nevertheless, the present data suggest that CBZ is not potent at inducing malformations in rats.     

Developmental toxicity evaluation of ELF magnetic fields in Sprague-Dawley rats

To identify possible effects of horizontally polarized magnetic field (MF) exposure on maintenance of pregnancy and embryo-fetal development, an MF exposure system was designed and constructed and 96 time-mated female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (24/group) received continuous exposure to 60 Hz MF at field strengths of 0 (sham control) and 5, 83.3, or 500 microT (50, 833, or 5000 mG). Dams received MF or sham exposures for 22 h/day on gestational day 6-20. MF was monitored continuously throughout the study. There were no evidences of maternal toxicity or developmental toxicity in any MF exposed groups. Mean maternal body weight, organ weights, and hematological and serum biochemical parameters in groups exposed to MF did not differ from those in sham control. No exposure related differences in fetal deaths, fetal body weight, and placental weight were observed between MF exposed groups and sham control. External, visceral, and skeletal examination of fetuses demonstrated no significant differences in the incidence of fetal malformations between MF exposed and sham control groups. In conclusion, exposure of pregnant rats to 60 Hz at MF strengths up to 500 microT during gestation day 6-20 did not produce any biologically significant effect in either dams or fetuses.     

Evaluation of developmental toxicity in rats exposed to the environmental estrogen bisphenol A during pregnancy.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an essential component of epoxy resins used in the lacquer lining of metal food cans, as a component of polycarbonates, and in dental sealants. The present study was conducted in an attempt to evaluate the adverse effects of the environmental estrogen BPA on initiation and maintenance of pregnancy and embryofetal development after maternal exposure during the entire period of pregnancy in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test chemical was administered by gavage to mated females from days 1 to 20 of gestation (sperm in varginal lavage = day 0) at dose levels of 0, 100, 300, and 1000 mg/kg. All females were subjected to caesarean section on day 21 of gestation and their fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. In the 1000 mg/kg group, significant toxic effects including abnormal clinical signs, decreased maternal body weight and body weight gain, and reduced food consumption were observed in pregnant rats. An increase in pregnancy failure was also found in the successfully mated females. In addition, increased number of embryonal deaths, increased postimplantation loss, reduced litter size and fetal body weight, and decreased number of fetal ossification centers of several skeletal districts were seen. On the contrary, no significant changes induced by BPA were detected in the number of corpora lutea and implantation sites and by fetal morphological examinations. In the 300 mg/kg group, suppressed maternal body weight and body weight gain, decreased food intake and reduced body weight of male fetuses were seen. There were no adverse signs of either maternal toxicity or developmental toxicity in the 100 mg/kg group. It was concluded that BPA administration during the entire period of pregnancy in rats produced pregnancy failure, pre- and postimplantation loss, fetal developmental delay and severe maternal toxicity, but no embryo-fetal dysmorphogenesis at an oral exposure level of 1000 mg/kg.     

Embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of aluminum nitrate in rats upon oral administration

In order to determine the embryotoxic and teratogenic potential of aluminum, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by gavage with a daily dose of 180, 360, or 720 mg/kg of aluminum nitrate from the sixth through to the fourteenth day of gestation. Fetal examinations were performed on day 20. The number of corpora lutea, total implants, and resorptions as well as the number of live and dead fetuses in the treated animals were not significantly different from the control group. Therefore, embryolethality of aluminum cannot be induced (as a measure of percent dead and resorbed fetuses). However, exposure of rats to aluminum nitrate resulted in decreased fetal body weight and increased the incidence and types of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations and variations in all the treated groups. Consequently, teratogenic effects of aluminum-nitrate administration may result in rats given high oral doses that induce concomitant maternal toxicity.     

Preventive effect of piperonyl butoxide on cyclophosphamide-induced teratogenesis in rats

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide induces fetal defects through metabolic activation by cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases (CYP). The effects of piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a CYP inhibitor, on the fetal development and external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities induced by cyclophosphamide were investigated in rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats were daily administered PBO (400 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days (the 6th to 12th day of gestation), and intraperitoneally administered with cyclophosphamide (12 mg/kg) 4 h after the final treatment. On the 20th day of gestation, maternal and fetal abnormalities were determined by Cesarean section. RESULTS: Cyclophosphamide reduced fetal body weights by 30–40% without increasing resorption or death. In addition, it induced malformations in live fetuses: 100, 98, and 98.2% of the external (head and limb defects), visceral (cerebroventricular dilatation, cleft palate, and renal pelvic/ureteric dilatation), and skeletal (acrania, vertebral/costal malformations, and delayed ossification) abnormalities, respectively. The pre-treatment of PBO greatly decreased mRNA expression and activity of hepatic CYP2B, which metabolizes cyclophosphamide into teratogenic acrolein and cytotoxic phosphoramide mustard. Moreover, PBO remarkably attenuated cyclophosphamide-induced body weight loss and abnormalities of fetuses; score 3.57 versus 1.87 for exencephaly, 75.5% versus 42.5% for limb defects, 65.3% versus 22% for cerebroventricular dilatation, 59.2% versus 5.1% for cleft palate, score 1.28 versus 0.93 for renal pelvic/ureteric dilatation, 71.9–82.5% versus 23–45.9% for vertebral/costal malformations, and 84.2% versus 57.4% for delayed ossification in cyclophosphamide alone and PBO co-administration groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that repeated treatment with PBO may improve cyclophosphamide-induced body weight loss and malformations of fetuses by down-regulating CYP2B. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 86:402–408, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Halothane prevents nitrous oxide teratogenicity in Sprague-Dawley rats; folinic acid does not

The teratogenic effects of nitrous oxide (N2O) administered with halothane or folinic acid (FA) were studied in two separate experiments using a total of 206 timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats. In each experiment, rats were exposed to either 1) air (n = 30-40); 2) N2O (50-75% for 24 h on day 8 of pregnancy, n = 20-30); 3) test agent (i.e., 0.27% halothane for 24 h on day 8 of pregnancy; or 5 mg/kg/day of FA on day 5-13 of pregnancy, subcutaneously by osmotic pump, n = 20-30); or 4) N2O + test agent (n = 20-30). Cesarean sections were performed on day 20, and fetuses were examined for visceral and skeletal abnormalities. There were no differences in pregnancy rate, number of implantations and live fetuses per rat, and fetal weight among any of the groups. Treatment with N2O resulted in significantly higher incidences of resorptions and of major visceral and minor skeletal abnormalities. Halothane administered with N2O protected against these effects; folinic acid did not. Using an additional 65 nonpregnant rats, hepatic methionine synthase activity was measured after treatment with 50% N2O, 50% N2O plus 0.27% halothane, or 50% N2O plus 5 mg/kg/day of folinic acid. Methionine synthase activity was equally depressed in all groups. These findings do not support the commonly held theory that inactivation of methionine synthase is the sole cause of N2O teratogenicity; rather, they suggest a multifactorial etiology, which may include changes in uterine blood flow.     

A teratologic evaluation of continuous-wave, daily ultrasound exposure in unanesthetized pregnant rats.

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to remain immobile when placed in water in an ultrasound exposure tank and exposed to 0, 0.1, 2.0, or 30.0 W/cm2 ISPTA (spatial peak, temporal average), 3.0-MHz continuous wave (cw) ultrasound on embryonic (E) days 4-19 for approximately 15 min/day. On E20 fetuses were removed; weighed; examined for external, skeletal, and visceral malformations; and uteri were examined for resorptions. Analyses revealed no increase in pre-implantation loss and no effects on maternal body weight, food, or water consumption. No increase in skeletal or visceral malformations was found, in fact exposed groups had a lower incidence of defects than controls. A significant increase in resorptions in the lowest exposure group (0.1 W/cm2) was obtained, but the effect was isolated, non-dose dependent and not credible as a treatment-related effect. No reduction in fetal weight was obtained, in fact the lowest (0.1-W/cm2) and middle (2.0-W/cm2) exposure level groups weighed slightly more than controls. The immobility procedure succeeded in avoiding anesthetization or forced restraint of the dams, thereby eliminating these factors as potential confounders. The results demonstrated that in unanesthetized, unrestrained rats in utero exposure to incident intensities of ultrasound of up to 30.0 W/cm2 cw ultrasound (or estimated internal exposures of 4-21 W/cm2, depending on body orientation to the incident beam) produced no evidence of embryotoxicity based on fetal necropsy data.     

Developmental toxicity of pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin) in rats and rabbits

The developmental toxicity of the potent adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor, pentostatin (2'-deoxycoformycin), was investigated in pregnant rats and rabbits administered daily iv doses during organogenesis. Rats received 0, 0.01, 0.10, or 0.75 mg/kg on gestation days 6-15 and rabbits received 0, 0.005, 0.01, or 0.02 mg/kg on gestation days 6-18 and maternal and fetal parameters were evaluated on gestation day 21 (rats) or 30 (rabbits). Live fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations and variations. In rats, maternal body weight gain and food consumption were significantly suppressed at doses of 0.10 and 0.75 mg/kg during the treatment period but returned to control levels during posttreatment. Increased postimplantation loss and decreased numbers of live fetuses, litter size, and fetal body weight were observed at 0.75 mg/kg. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of vertebral malformations occurred at 0.75 mg/kg. The incidence of certain skeletal variations (extra presacral vertebrae, extra ribs, hypoplastic vertebrae) was also increased at 0.75 mg/kg. Ossification of cervical centra was reduced at 0.75 mg/kg compared with controls. In rabbits, marked maternal toxicity (death, body weight loss, and decreased food consumption) and reproductive toxicity (abortion and premature delivery) occurred in all pentostatin-treated groups. However, there were no significant effects on number of live fetuses, pre- or postimplantation loss, litter size, or fetal body weights in the animals with live litters. There was also no apparent increase in the incidence of malformations or variations in the live fetuses of pentostatin-treated rabbits. Thus, these studies demonstrate developmental toxicity of pentostatin in rats and rabbits, and teratogenicity in rats, at maternally toxic doses.