We developed and optimized a screening procedure, in which zebrafish embryos were explored as a model for the evaluation of the specific embryotoxic and teratogenic potential of chemicals. A selection of known positive (retinoic acid, valproic acid, caffeine, lithium chloride) and negative (glucose, saccharin) compounds for developmental toxicity were used to evaluate this method. We exposed em...

Teratogens are substances that may cause defects in normal embryonic development while not necessarily being toxic in adults. Identification of possible teratogenic compounds has been historically beset by the species-specific nature of the teratogen response. To examine teratogenic effects on early human development we performed non-biased expression profiling of differentiating human embryoni...

We report on the first Helpline for pharmacists dealing with the safety of medications in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Pharmacists from all parts of Canada participated in this pilot, receiving guidance in approximately 90% of cases. There were 472 inquiries relating to 598 products with regards to safety in pregnancy and 197 calls relating to 249 products regarding exposure in breastfee...

The association of chromosome changes with certain syndromes of congenital malformations has raised new questions as to the possible role of abnormal chromosome complements in teratogenesis. For example, mosaics are thought to originate in the first divisions of the fertilized ovum, and one may ask how late in embryogenesis permanent chromosome changes can be induced. Investigations have been u...

Piperidine alkaloids are acutely toxic to adult livestock species and produce musculoskeletal deformities in neonatal animals. These teratogenic effects include multiple congenital contracture (MCC) deformities and cleft palate in cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. Poisonous plants containing teratogenic piperidine alkaloids include poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), lupine (Lupinus spp.), and tob...

Objective: We sought to evaluate the impact of different antineoplastic treatment methods on systolic and diastolic myocardial function, and the feasibility estimation of regional deformation parameters with non-Doppler 2D echocardiography in rats. Background: The optimal method for quantitative assessment of global and regional ventricular function in rats and the impact of complex oncological...

Drugs administered to the mother can affect the fetus by preventing implantation or by causing resorption of the embryo, abortion or intrauterine death. It is a sobering thought that the first of these mechanisms is dignified by the name 'contraception' and that the remainder have far less medicolegal and economic significance than the survival of a defective fetus after a less drastic chemical...