title: Expression of Veratrum alkaloid teratogenicity in the mouse.
abstract: Jervine, a steroidal alkaloid found as a minor constituent in the teratogenic range plant Veratrum californicum, has produced similar terata in sheep, rabbit, hamster, and chick, although the sensitivity to the alkaloid varies in the different species. Sprague Dawley rats and Swiss Webster mice are relatively insensitive. The aim of this study was to determine the teratogenic potential of jervine in three strains of mice and to ascertain if the response is strain dependent. One strain, Swiss N:GP(S), was retested since a Swiss Webster strain had been found previously to be jervine-resistant. In addition, we tested C57BL/6J and A/J, which are known to differ in their response to the teratogenic action of steroids and vitamin A. Mice were treated by gavage with single doses of jervine (70, 150, or 300 mg/kg body weight) on either day 8, 9, or 10 of gestation. Jervine was teratogenic to C57BL/6J and A/J mice but not to N:GP(S). The induced terata included cleft lip with or without cleft palate, isolated cleft palate, mandibular micrognathia or agnathia, and limb malformations. Fetal teratogenicity and maternal and fetal toxicity were highly correlated. The prevalence of each defect and fetal death was a function of strain, dose, and time of treatment. Maternal death was higher in C57BL/6J than in A/J mice. Although some of the terata were similar, the response pattern between strains was different from corticosteroids and vitamin A for both sensitive period and the strain dose response. An effect on differentiation of chondrocyte precursors may account for many of the defects, but an earlier lethal effect on differentiation of neural crest cells or precordal mesenchyme may also occur.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Anomalies, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Omnell
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Keeler
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Harne
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013723:Teratogens; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids