title: Pharmacological concepts and developmental toxicology.
abstract: This communication provides evidence to support the concept that developmental toxicants (teratogens) produce their effect by either interfering with or enhancing the time-dependent signal-response mechanisms within the embryo. Essential to this hypothesis is the need to show that an observed effect is a function of the administered dose, that there is a positive correlation between the observed effect and pharmacokinetic parameters and that there is evidence for the existence of a specific receptor for the toxicant. While extensive effort is required for ultimate validation of this concept, it serves to emphasize the value of applying known pharmacological principles in defining a mechanistic framework for the biological activity of developmental toxicants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, East Tennessee State University, Quillen-Dishner College of Medicine, Johnson City 37614.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Skalko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D013723:Teratogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D012176:Retinoids; D013723:Teratogens; D000431:Ethanol