ABSTRACT
Retinoids are involved in several physiological processes and are used in the treatment of various skin disorders. Therapy with retinoids during pregnancy may induce severe embryotoxic effects like craniofacial and cardiovascular malformations in the developing embryo. We investigated the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and all-trans-retinoyl-beta-D-glucuronide (ATRAG) in an amphibian embryotoxicity assay with Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl) as an alternative in vitro method. Embryos were exposed to various concentrations of ATRA or ATRAG for 48 h beginning with the blastula stage. Kinetic investigations in the embryonic tissue were performed during the exposure period. Both retinoids interfered with the development of the axolotl embryos. Dose-dependent effects observed included growth retardation, craniofacial and cardiovascular malformations, as well as neural tube defects. In the axolotl, ATRA induced slightly more pronounced embryotoxic effects than ATRAG. All-trans-retinal was shown to be a major endogenous retinoid in this species. Endogenous levels of all-trans-retinaldehyde were increased during exposure to both ATRA and ATRAG. The glucuronide, however, was only detected in small amounts after ATRAG exposure. The embryotoxic potential of ATRAG could be explained by deglucuronidation to ATRA.