In vitro embryotoxicity study of n,n-dimethylacetamide and its main metabolite N-monomethylacetamide.
N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAC) is a widely used industrial solvent. Previous teratological studies in vivo reported discording results. Using the postimplantation rat whole embryo culture (WEC) method, the direct embryotoxic effects of DMAC and its main metabolite (N-monomethylacetamide, MMAC) have been investigated in the present work. Both chemicals showed specific embryotoxic and teratogenic effects at similar concentration levels. The no-observed-effect level (NOEL) was 0.85mm.Macroscopically, the main target organs were somites, brain and branchial bars. Histological examination revealed an increase in cell death at the effective concentrations on the neuroepithelium and branchial bars mesenchyme. The results of this work, together with those obtained in in vivo studies, suggest that the exposure limits in workplaces could be inappropriate for the safety of fertile women.
Menegola
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E
Department of Biology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Broccia
M L
ML
Prati
M
M
Giavini
E
E