title: Effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody during early fetal development in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody Bevacizumab during early fetal development in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Presumed-pregnant rats received single intraperitoneal injection of Bevacizumab (0-20 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 3, 7, and 14 (n = 2 rats/group). After Study 1 (dose range finding study), Study 2 performed with intraperitoneal 20 mg/kg bevacizumab or saline on GD 7 (n = 6 rats/group including the Study 1). Blood samples were collected 3 and 7 d after the injection. Uterus and ovarian tissues were obtained 7 d after the injection. Number of gestational sacs (GS), size of GS and fetus, serum rat β chorionic gonadotropin (β-CG), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) for immunohistochemical assessment of angiogenesis were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Number of GS, size of GS, and fetus were lower in the study group than the control group. Serum rat β-CG levels were significantly increased in the control group and significantly decreased in the study group. Staining densities for PECAM in vascular structures in both corpus luteum and placenta were lower in the study group than the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anti-VEGF antibody has an inhibitory effect on pregnancy development and caused litter death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology .
authors.forename: Ikbal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaygusuz
authors.forename: Ayla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eser
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Inegol Gumus
authors.forename: Aydin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kosus
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yenidunya
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Namuslu
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kafali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D005865:Gestational Age; D008098:Litter Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab
keywords: Anti-angiogenic agent; anti-VEGF antibody; bevacizumab; fetal development; rat