title: Use of barusiban in a novel study design for evaluation of tocolytic agents in pregnant and neonatal monkeys, including behavioural and immunological endpoints.
abstract: The oxytocin receptor antagonist barusiban, currently being developed for treatment of preterm labour, was investigated in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys with a 9-month postnatal follow-up of their offspring. The nature of barusiban, its indication, and the potential exposure of pre- and postnatal infants entailed the design of a unique protocol to investigate all aspects of maternal and offspring well-being. Barusiban was administered to the mothers from gestation day 85 until delivery with daily subcutaneous dosages up to 2.5mg/kg body weight/day. There were no test article-related effects seen in the mothers at any time during the study. The postnatal examination of offspring included routine toxicological parameters, as well as specialised investigation of the immune, cardiovascular, renal and central nervous systems, including a full behavioural assessment. A full pathology examination of offspring was performed at the end of the 9-month postnatal period. No adverse infant findings occurred.
authors.affiliation: Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, International PharmaScience Center, Kay Fiskers Plads 11, DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark. allan.dahl.rasmussen@ferring.com
authors.forename: Allan D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Joyce K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Chellman
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golub
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McAnulty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D036801:Parturition / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009842:Oligopeptides; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; C517339:barusiban