Respiratory changes in 9-methyl PGA teratogenesis

Cellular respiration was accurately measured following dispersion of rat embryos too large for reliable assessments in the intact condition. The technique used in this study for cell dispersion of day 13 embryos effectively eliminated restrictions to oxygen diffusion caused by thickness of the intact animals and permitted valid measurements of oxygen consumption in these embryos. Significantly decreased rates of oxygen consumption were measured by the Warburg technique in such embryonic rat cells following a teratogenic maternal folate deficiency and folate-antagonism using 9-methyl pteroyl-glutamic acid. These results suggest an association between altered embryonic oxidative metabolism and induction of malformations.