Production of axial skeletal malformations with the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in the mouse.
BACKGROUND
To test whether the differentiating embryo is susceptible to the teratogenic effects of the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).


METHODS
ICR-(CD-1) mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME at 90, 150, or 300 mg/kg on Gestation Day (GD) 8 or 9. Controls were treated with vehicle on GD 8 and 9. Teratological assessments were carried out near term (GD 18).


RESULTS
Maternal treatment with a single dose of L-NAME at 150 or 300 mg/kg on either GD 8 or 9 produced axial skeletal defects in the ICR (CD-1) mouse fetuses. Other treatment-related effects included increased embryo lethality and fetal growth restriction.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that in utero exposure to L-NAME can affect organogenesis of the axial skeleton.
Tiboni
Gian Mario
GM
Sezione di Ostetricia e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy. tiboni@unich.it
Marotta
Francesca
F
Barbacane
Lisa
L
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000633:toxicity*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester