Toxicity of monocrotaline on in vitro cultured mouse embryos

Abstract

To investigate the fetotoxicity of monocrotaline. Mouse whole embryo culture (WEC) was applied. Post-implantation (8.5 d) mouse embryos were isolated from their mothers and put into the medium of immediately centrifuged serum (ICS) prepared from rats. Different concentrations of monocrotaline (100, 50, 25, 12.5 mg x L(-1)) were added into the WEC. Development (yolk sac diameter, crown-rump length, head length, somite number) and organic morphodifferentiation (yolk sac circulation, allantois, embryonic flexion, heart, brain, optic-otic-olfactory organ, branchial arch, maxillary, mandible, bud) of embryos were observed at 48 h after treatment. Obvious fetotoxicity could be observed in various monocrotaline treatment groups in a dose-dependent manner. Development of embryos was delayed significantly at dose 12.5-100 mg x L(-1). Malformations were shown in all organic morphodifferentiation indice, especially in opti-otic organ, mandible and bud. Monocrotaline had obvious fetotoxicity in vitro WEC, indicating that exposure of pregnant mice to monocrotaline may have potential risk on fetus.