title: Short-term effects and teratogenicity of heptanol on embryos of Xenopus laevis.
abstract: This study examined teratogenic and short-term effects of heptanol on Xenopus embryos. Embryos were exposed for 5h to 2.5mM heptanol at different developmental stages. Teratogenic effects were found in embryos treated from cleavage to early neurula stages. Other heptanol concentrations, shorter exposure time, and the effect of temperature were also assayed. Short-term effects of hepatanol exposure were studied during cleavage and all treated blastulae showed cell separation with delaminated blastomeres inside the blastocel. Disruption of cell adhesion in addition to the uncoupling effect could account for heptanol teratogenicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Pathology, Universtat de Barcelona, Campus de Bellvitge, Feixa Llarga, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olmedo
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bardia
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domingo