Investigation of the embryo-toxicity of the antiviral drug “Ribavirin” in Wistar rats during different gestation periods

Ribavirin (1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide) is a water-soluble, guanosine nucleoside analog that mimics other purines, including inosine and adenosine. The current study was designed to assess the embryotoxic effect of ribavirin investigate its teratogenic on placental fetal liver tissues. In this study, 18 pregnant Wistar rats (165–185 g) 11–13 weeks old were orally administrated at dosage 82.3 mg/kg intervals organogenesis period (5th −13th) gestation day developmental (13th −19th) day. At 20, postmortem, their fetuses examined via morphological, histopathological investigations, biochemical analysis, DNA damage evaluation. results showed increased incidence abortion during caused marked decrease in corrected body weight, uterus, placenta weight dams period: ribavirin-induced intra-uterine growth retardation, morphological abnormalities, decreased number implants/litter. addition, produced alterations tissue, elevation malonaldehyde level, significant activity antioxidants, triggered damage. conclusion, we found has an generation free radicals cause altered function affects normal embryo/fetal development.