title: Techniques for assessment of teratologic effects: embryo culture.
abstract: A simple method is described for growing rat embryos in vitro for 48 hr from head-fold to early limb-bud stages at rates of development and protein synthesis indistinguishable from those in vivo. Culture of the embryos can be continued for longer periods but at a reduced growth rate. Preheating the culture serum to 56 degrees C for 30 min improves embryonic development, but raising the culture temperature 2-3 degrees C or exposing the presomite embryos to 20% O2 (160 mm Hg) causes malformations, particularly of the brain and spinal cord. The value of such culture methods for teratology is briefly discussed.
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications; D006128:Growth; D006358:Hot Temperature; D010100:Oxygen / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats / Q000196:embryology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D010100:Oxygen