This study was carried out to investigate the amino acid and protein concentrations in amniotic fluid and the potency of the teratogenic effect of ethylenethiourea(2-imidazolidinethione, ETU) in the fetuses due to different dose amounts of this compound.
The S.P.F. Sprague-Dawley female rats(10 weeks) were used in this study and these animals were divided into four groups; control group(25pregnant female rats), group I (dosed ETU from day 7 to day 17 of gestation at l0㎎/㎏/day), group II (dosed ETU from day 7 to day 17 of ges tation at 30㎎/㎏/day), group III (dosed ETU from day 7 to day 17 of gestation at 50㎎/㎏/ day). 250㎎/100㎖ ETU in group I , 750㎎/100㎖ ETU in group II and 1,250㎎/100㎖ ETU in group III were administered 4㎖/㎏ 13.W by oral route.
The results obtained were summarized as follows;
1. The anomalies of the external examination werf meningocele in the head, kinky tail, clubfoot and sharp tail.(Meningocele, in group III, significantly increased from control valueat p<0.001).
2. The skeletal variations and delayed ossification were Lumbar ribs, asymmetric sternebrae, asymmetric 13th rib and delayed ossification of skull. Asymmetric sternebrae(group III ) was significantly increased from control value at p<0.05 :md delayed ossification of skull (group II and III ) were significantly increased from control value at p<0.05 and p<0.0l, respectively.
3. The internal soft tissue anomalies were hydroencephaly of 3th lateral ventricle, dilatation of ureter, dilatation of renal pelvis and cleft palate. (Hydroencephaly, 28.1% in group I , 88.3% in group II and 100% in group III ).
4. Protein values in amniotic fluids are not significantly decreased in l0㎎/㎏ group but significantly(p<0.05) decreased in 30㎎/㎏ group and 50㎎/kg group from control group.
5. In the levels of amino acid in amniotic fluids, the levels of glntamic acid, iso-lencine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine of l0㎎/㎏ group are significantly decreased from control group. In 50㎎/㎏ group, except for glycine, valine and methionine, all amino acid levels are significantly(p<0.05) decreased from control group.
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