Vitamin A acetate: a behavioral teratology study in rats.
We evaluated the effects of maternal administration of vitamin A acetate on pup development and behavior. Vitamin A acetate was administered by oral gavage to pregnant rats (N = 10/treatment) on gestation days 6-19 at doses of 25,000, 50,000 or 100,000 I.U./kg/day. Male and female pups from dams that received 100,000 I.U./kg/day showed a significantly reduced live birth index but few external abnormalities. Twenty-four and 48 hour survival indices were also significantly reduced. The mean pup body weight gain at 100,000 I.U./kg/day was significantly reduced at days 1-3, 3-7 and 21-42. Pinna detachment and eye opening were significantly delayed in all male pups and in female pups from the 50,000 and 100,000 I.U./kg/day groups. Incisor eruption was significantly delayed in male and female pups from the 25,000 and 50,000 I.U./kg/day groups. The following showed no treatment effects: dam mean weight change, length of gestation, total litter size, surface righting, cliff avoidance, negative geotaxis, swimming development, open field activity and discriminatory learning.
Kutz
S A
SA
ICI Pharmaceuticals Group, Wilmington, Delaware 19897-0001.
Troise
N J
NJ
Cimprich
R E
RE
Yearsley
S M
SM
Rugen
P J
PJ
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004224:Diterpenes; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity
D004224:Diterpenes; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A; C009166:retinol acetate