P-26: The Effects of Interferon-Gamma onCarbamazepine-Induced Fetal Malformations inMouse Fetus

Background: One in every 250 newborns is exposed to antiepileptic drugs, inutero .The risk of congenital malformations in newborns, prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), is around 5% which is 2 to 2.5 times that of general population; while carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate (VPA) still provide the treatment of choice in most forms of epilepsy, being efficacious in approximately two-Thirds of all newly referred patients. Forunknown reason, nonspecific stimulation of the maternal immune system in pregnant mice has shown what to be a broad-spectrum efficacy for reducing birth defects. The aim of this study is to look for the relationship between maternal immune stimulation and probable reduction of CBZ-induced congenital defects in mouse fetus. Materials and Methods: In order to get this job done, pregnant mice are divided to 5 groups with 20 pregnant mice in each. Finally in the 18th day of pregnancy, after weighting the pregnant mouse, the mouse is killed and after observing the uterus position and the fetuses the following organs of the fetuses are taken out for further histological study: the kidney, liver, thymus, thyroid, central nervous system, heart, and the skeleton of their limbs. Also the liver and kidney of the mother mouse is removed for more study. The result data will be studied by the SPSS software, by a statistician. Results: So far 1st, 2nd, and the 4th groups are studied for the uterus position, and the number of fetuses and their general appearance. In the 4th group the average number of absorbed fetuses was more than the first two groups while the mean weight of fetuses of 4th group was lower. The fetuses of this group also had more creases on their body, some of them also had malformations. Conclusion: It seems that maternal immune stimulation of the pregnant mouse with Interferon-gamma reduces the risk of fetal malformations in mouse fetus.