[Effect of carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome]

Carbamazepine during pregnancy can induce various malformations. Recent studies have showed an increase in homocysteine level due to Carbamazepine administration. This study was to evaluate the effect of Carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome. In this experimental study, 40 BALB/c timed-pregnant mice were allocated into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. The experimental groups were received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg [group I] or 60 mg/kg [group II] of Carbamazepine on gestational days 6 to 15. The control groups were received either - normal saline or Tween 20. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD 18. External examinations were done and all data concerning malformations, weight and crownrump of fetuses collected. Blood samples were collected from Dams' hearts prior to performing the Cesarean section. Homocysteine was measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Tukey tests. Significant increase in Homocysteine levels of dams' serum compared to control groups was seen in both experimental groups I and II [10.56 +/- 1.31 and 11.11 +/- 1.64 micro mol/L, respectively, P<0.05]. The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups [P<0.05]. Various malformations such as limb defects, vertebral defects, facial deformity and severe malformations were observed in fetuses of both experimental groups. Serum elevation of homocysteine in Carbamazepine exposed pregnant mice may be a risk factor for induction of fetal malformations

[Effect of potassium benzoate on BALB/c mice placenta: a histopathological study]

The food additives, like sodium and potassium benzoate are used in many food products and drugs to prevent the growth of yeast and molds. There is no report about the histopathological effect of potassium benzoate. Placenta, has a critical role in embryonic development therefore this study was set up to evaluate the effects of potassium benzoate on placenta of BALB/c mice. 45 BALB/c female mice were allocated into two experimental [1, 2] and one control groups. Experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injection of 280 and 560 mg/kg/body weight of potassium benzoate and control group received normal saline. All injections were done during 10 days before mating and 5th to 16th of gestational days [GD]. In GD 18 all placenta were removed via cesarean section. Macroscopic studies for morphological abnormalities were done and after measuring of placental weight and diameter, for microscopic studies the specimens were fixed and tissue passage were done. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histopathological changes were studied. Weight, diameter and percentage of agenesis of placenta in all groups were gathered. Data analyzed with using SPSS-11.5, ANOVA and Tukey tests. The mean weight and diameter of the placenta in both experimental groups 1 and 2 were significantly decreased compared to control group. Also atrophy of placenta in the experimental groups was increased significantly compared to the control group [P<0.05]. Comparison of weight and diameter between groups 1 and 2 was not significant. Percentage of placenta agenesis in the experimental groups was increased significantly compared to the control group [P<0.05]. Massive hemorrhage in labyrinth zone, fetal and maternal zones were seen in both experimental groups. This study showed that exposure of potassium benzoate during mice pregnancy cause morphological and histopathological changes of placenta, including decrease of weight and diameter, agenesis, hemorrhage and tissue disorders

Evaluation of teratogenicity of salvia leriifolia benth. in mice

It has been shown that Salvia leriifolia Benth. has various pharmacological effects such as anti-hyperglycemia, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, muscle relaxant and sedative effect. There is a considerable potential for usage of this plant during pregnancy. However, its effects on embryonic development have not been examined. In this study, the in vivo fetotoxicity of S. leriifolia aqueous and alcoholic extracts were evaluated in mice. For this purpose, 10% and 30% of the maximal tolerated dose [MTD] of aqueous or alcoholic extracts were daily injected intraperitoneally in pregnant mice on GD=6 [Gestation Day] to GD=14. On GD=18, embryos were harvested by Cesarean section and then morphological structures and skeletal anomalies were evaluated. Other embryos were fixed and stained for bone and cartilage assessments. Both doses of alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused significant decrease in weight gain of pregnant mice; length and weight of fetuses were also reduced remarkably compared to the control group. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts caused some abnormalities such as spina bifida, limb abnormalities, abdominal bleeding, and bone abnormalities. This study presents strong evidence that S. leriifolia can cause numerous embryotoxicities. Thus, pregnant women should be careful in using this herb during pregnancy and it is best to avoid its use until further studies are performed

[Determining of methamphetamine effects on sperm parameters of mature rat]

Methamphetamine [MAMP] is a central nervous system stimulant, but it is increasingly abused as a psychedelic tablet by teenagers and young adults. In this experimental study, we evaluate the effects of MAMP on sperm parameters of mature rat. MAMP or saline were injected in three experiments as follow: In the first experiment, twenty-four rats were injected one time with 10mg/kg MAMP, and sperms were sampled from tail of epididymis 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 168 h after injection [n=4, at each time]. Six rats injected with saline served as controls. In the second experiment, four groups of rats each consisting of four rats were administered MAMP [5, 10 and 15 mg/kg] or saline, respectively, and examined 24h later. In the third experiment, 16 rats were evenly divided into four groups [1, 5, and 10 mg/kg MAMP and control] and were injected MAMP or saline once daily for 14 consecutive days [spermatogenesis period] and sperms were sampled 24 h after the last injection. The motility, concentration and morphology of the sampled sperms were evaluated. We also measured the body and testis weights and used the testis/body weight ratio as an index at the end of each experiment. At 24 and 48 h after injection with a single dose of 10 mg/kg MAMP, the number of sperms decreased significantly in comparison with controls [P

[Evaluation of fetal toxicity of HESA-A, a natural anticancer agent, in mice]

HESA-A is an active natural compound with herbal and marine origin. It contains inorganic, organic and aqueous fractions, and has shown antioxidant, cytotoxic and anticancer effects. In this study, the teratogenic effects of HESA-A in mice have been evaluated. Several doses of HESA-A were administered orally to pregnant mice on days 6 to 14 of gestation. Various parameters in pregnant mice and embryos during and after pregnancy were evaluated and recorded. At the end of pregnancy, embryos were sectioned out and studied for external morphological abnormalities and by specific skeletal staining for skeletal malformations. Weight gain of pregnant mice showed that only the highest dose [800 mg/kg] caused gain retardation. Also, only the highest dose led to reduction of uterus weight, number of viable embryos, and weight and crown-lump length of embryos. Increase in fetal resorption by the highest dose of HESA-A was another important observation. Low and medium doses of HESA-A did not cause any significant external or skeletal abnormalities. However, higher doses caused embryo malformations such as short limbs, spinal abnormalities, dermal cysts, microphtalmia, and cleft palate. According to this study, only high doses of HESA-A, which are many times higher than the usual therapeutic doses, may cause embryonic toxicity. Mechanisms of these abnormalities are not clear and need to be determined