Selective growth inhibition of the male progeny of mice treated with trimethylamine during pregnancy.
Injections of 1-7.5 mmol trimethylamine (TMA) per kilogram into mice daily from day 6 to day 15 (period of organogenesis) of gestation caused a dose-dependent decrease in fetal weights and in postnatal growth. The decrease in postnatal body weight gain, in brain and kidney weights, and in brain protein and DNA was more marked in the male than in the female offspring of TMA-treated animals; seminal vesicle weight and serum testosterone levels were also reduced. It is suggested that the selective growth inhibition of male progeny might be due to a decrease in testosterone synthesis. Since endogenous TMA levels are influenced by renal and liver disease and food habits, it might be one of the environmental factors influencing pregnancy outcome.
Guest
I
I
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, Que., Canada.
Varma
D R
DR
D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008744:Methylamines / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012737:Sex Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D008744:Methylamines; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D004247:DNA; C023336:trimethylamine