Teratogenic and lethal properties of the various fractions of venom of the viper, Vipera aspis.
When whole viper (Vipera aspis) venom is injected into pregnant mice at various times during gestation, several anomalies occur in the fetuses and offspring. The teratogenic targets of the venom include the brain, heart, limbs and face, depending on the day of the injection. In the present study, the various constituents of whole venom were separated by gradient chromatography and the lethal and teratogenic properties of each fraction were determined and compared to the activity of whole and reconstituted venom. Our results imply that a synergy or potentiation exists between the fractions, the overall properties of whole venom being more teratogenic than the sum of its parts.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D013723:Teratogens; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D013723:Teratogens; D014757:Viper Venoms