secalonic-acid and Fetal-Resorption

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is known to antagonize the teratogenic effects of secalonic acid D (SAD) in mice. To establish the optimum protective dose of DMSO, pregnant CD-1 mice were treated, i.p., with 30 mg/kg of SAD in 5% (w/v) NaHCO3, containing 0, 10, 20, or 30% (v/v) DMSO on day 11 of gestation. Data indicate that at 10% and 20% levels, DMSO affords an apparent dose-related protection against SAD-induced cleft palate, whereas 30% DMSO enhanced fetal resorption with no reduction in the incidence of cleft palate. Ultraviolet spectra and TLC mobility indicated that DMSO at 20% did not directly interact with SAD. Distribution and elimination of 14C-SAD was studied in fetal and maternal tissues from pregnant mice at 24 and 48 hr after exposure to 30 mg/kg of 14C-SAD, i.p., in NaHCO3 (control) or in 20% DMSO. Compared with those not receiving DMSO, maternal exposure to DMSO: 1) significantly reduced (42-75%) radioactivity in fetal heads and bodies, placenta, and maternal tissues other than liver; 2) significantly increased (up to 222%) the radioactivity in maternal liver; and 3) significantly reduced (44-58%) fecal and urinary elimination of SAD-derived radioactivity. These results suggest that the antiteratogenic effect of DMSO against SAD may be at least partly mediated by increased SAD (or its metabolites) retention by maternal liver leading to reduced SAD uptake by the fetus.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cleft Palate; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Female; Fetal Resorption; Fetus; Mice; Mycotoxins; Pregnancy; Reference Values; Teratogens; Xanthenes; Xanthones

Incidence of cleft palate (CP) in full-term mouse fetuses was evaluated following administration of 25 mg/kg of the mycotoxin, secalonic acid D (SAD), to groups of female mice on each of Days 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 of pregnancy. Although the highest numerical incidence (45.3%) of cleft palate resulted following SAD exposure on Day 12 of pregnancy, and the response tapered off to 16.9% on Day 10 and 0% on Day 15 of pregnancy, similar responses were produced also following exposures on Days 11 (38.4%) and 13 (39.9%) of pregnancy. Maternal exposure to doses of 0, 15, 20, 25, or 30 mg/kg of SAD, given on Day 12 of pregnancy indicated that although fetuses in the 30-mg/kg group had the highest incidence (51.9%) of CP, the effect was associated with increased resorptions and decreased fetal weights. The 25-mg/kg dose was optimally teratogenic (45.3% cleft palate) and maximally tolerable with neither an increase in resorptions nor a decrease in fetal body weights. Cytotoxicity of the optimally teratogenic dose of SAD (25 mg/kg given ip) on Day 12 of pregnancy was evaluated as a possible mechanism of SAD teratogenicity using indices such as mesenchymal cell density, mitotic index, and the uptake of [3H]thymidine in the developing palatal shelves. No evidence of SAD cytotoxicity was obtained in palatal shelves indicating a possible role for nonlethal cellular effects of SAD in the pathogenesis of CP. These studies also suggest the suitability of the maternal 25-mg/kg dose of SAD to study cellular biochemical effects in the developing embryo without the complicating influence of cytotoxic effects.

Topics: Animals; Birth Weight; Cleft Palate; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Fetal Resorption; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Mice; Mitotic Index; Pregnancy; Xanthenes; Xanthones

Teratogenic effects of secalonic acid D (SAD), a toxic fungal metabolite, produced by P. oxalicum has been studied in rats. Crystalline SAD was injected as a single subcutaneous dose (25 mg/kg) on one of the gestation day 6-10, 12 or 14. Pregnant rats were treated with 15 mg/kg SAD on gestation day 10. Both doses produced teratogenic and fetotoxic effects, although the effects produced with the lower dose were less marked. Treatment on days 9 and 10 resulted in increased fetal resorptions and decreased fetal body weights. The highest number of resorptions, greatest depression of fetal body weights and largest number of malformations occurred when SAD was injected on day 10. Anophthalmia (days 9 and 10), exencephaly (day 9) and defects in limbs, digits and tail (day 10) were the major gross malformations. The main internal soft tissue defects were hydronephrosis (days 9 and 10) and tracheo-esophageal fistula and renal agenesis (day 10). Major skeletal defects involved the vertebrae and ribs. For all of the abnormalities observed, administration of SAD on day 10 of gestation produced the most marked effects in rats.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Body Weight; Embryo Implantation; Female; Fetal Resorption; Fetus; Gestational Age; Mycotoxins; Pregnancy; Rats; Teratogens; Xanthenes; Xanthones