The teratogenic effects of dietary Cassava on the pregnant albino rat: a preliminary report.
Cassava is a tuberous root of a shrublike plant cultivated in tropical rain forests as a staple food in South Eastern Nigeria. Reports are on record showing correlation between cassava intake and occurrence of various types of neuropathies (Money, '59; Monekosso and Wilson, '66; Osuntokun et al., '68,'69). About 0.1-2 mg of cyanide/100 gm is released from Cassava by action of hydrolase (Paula and Rangel, '46). It has been suspected by several local clinicians as a cause of congenital anomalies if consumed in excess during pregnancy. However, it remains a controversial problem and precise scientific data is lacking. This study was conducted on albino rats by giving them milled cassava powder as 50% and 80% of their diet during the first 5 days of pregnancy. Fetuses collected on day 20 from the group receiving cassava as 80% of the diet showed a low incidence of limb defects, open eye, microcephaly, and growth retardation in the rat. Interpretation of this data for the human should be made with caution.
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003486:Cyanides / Q000633:toxicity*; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000139:chemically induced; D009549:Nigeria; D010945:Plants, Edible; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats
D003486:Cyanides