National Journal of Clinical Anatomy (Jan 2020)
Teratogenic effects (resorptions and reduction in weight and crown rump length) of valproate on fetal mice
Abstract
Background and Aims: Teratology is the study of abnormal development in fetus. Teratology first came into existence in 1930 when a number of experiments were conducted. There are various causes of congenital anomalies such as genetic factors, environmental factors such as radiation, changes in temperature, hypoxia, chemical substances, drugs, and maternal infections. At present, valproic acid is the most widely used antiepileptic drug. Valproic acid is salt of dipropyl acetic acid. Most of the studies on the valproate were done at higher doses starting from 400 mg/kg. Hence, the present study was done to assess teratogenic effects at lower dose of valproate i.e., 200 mg/kg. Only few studies are conducted on fetal mice at Valproate dose of 200 mg/kg. The aim of the present study is to report the teratogenic effects of valproate at dose of 200 mg/kg on single gestational day (8th) and multiple gestational days (7th, 8th, and 9th) in fetal mice. Materials and Methods: Forty pregnant mice were taken in the present study, and these are distributed in three groups. Group A which was control group received normal saline. In Group B, Valproate was administered on single gestational day (8th). In Group C, Valproate was administered on multiple gestational days (7th, 8th, and 9th). Dose of valproate given in each group was 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally. On the 18th gestational day, fetuses were collected after uterotomy. The fetuses of all three groups were weighed by digital laboratory weighing scale. Crown rump length (CRL) of fetuses of all groups was documented by means of graph paper. Mean, standard deviation, and P value were calculated. Statistical analysis was done by the ANOVA one-way test. Results: Valproate administered groups showed resorptions. CRL and fetal weight reduction were found in treated groups. These findings were more found in Group C in comparison to Group B. Conclusion: Valproate is teratogenic drug at 200 mg/kg dose, so valproate should be prescribed at lowest efficacious dosage to minimize the teratogenic risk.
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