Whole-embryo Culture Research Articles

Embryonic vascular disruption adverse outcomes: Linking high throughput signaling signatures with functional consequences

Embryonic vascular disruption is an important adverse outcome pathway (AOP) as chemical disruption of cardiovascular development induces broad prenatal defects. High throughput screening (HTS) assays aid AOP development although linking in vitro data to in vivo apical endpoints remains challenging. This study evaluated two anti-angiogenic agents, 5HPP-33 and TNP-470, across the ToxCastDB HTS assay platform and anchored the results to complex in vitro functional assays: the rat aortic explant assay (AEA), rat whole embryo culture (WEC), and the zebrafish embryotoxicity (ZET) assay. Both were identified as putative vascular disruptive compounds (pVDCs) in ToxCastDB and disrupted angiogenesis and embryogenesis in the functional assays. Differences were observed in potency and adverse effects: 5HPP-33 was embryolethal (WEC and ZET); TNP-470 produced caudal defects at lower concentrations. This study demonstrates how a tiered approach using HTS signatures and complex functional in vitro assays might be used to prioritize further in vivo developmental toxicity testing.

Embryonic vascular disruption adverse outcomes: Linking high throughput signaling signatures with functional consequences

Embryonic vascular disruption is an important adverse outcome pathway (AOP) as chemical disruption of cardiovascular development induces broad prenatal defects. High-throughput screening (HTS) assays aid AOP development although linking in vitro data to in vivo apical endpoints remains challenging. This study evaluated two anti-angiogenic agents, 5HPP-33 and TNP-470, across the ToxCastDB HTS assay platform and anchored the results to complex in vitro functional assays: the rat aortic explant assay (AEA), rat whole embryo culture (WEC), and the zebrafish embryotoxicity (ZET) assay. Both were identified as putative vascular disruptive compounds (pVDCs) in ToxCastDB and disrupted angiogenesis and embryogenesis in the functional assays. Differences were observed in potency and adverse effects: 5HPP-33 was embryolethal (WEC and ZET); TNP-470 produced caudal defects at lower concentrations. This study demonstrates how a tiered approach using HTS signatures and complex functional in vitro assays might be used to prioritize further in vivo developmental toxicity testing.

Embryotoxic and pharmacologic potency ranking of six azoles in the rat whole embryo culture by morphological and transcriptomic analysis

Differential gene expression analysis in the rat whole embryo culture (WEC) assay provides mechanistic insight into the embryotoxicity of test compounds. In our study, we hypothesized that comparative analysis of the transcriptomes of rat embryos exposed to six azoles (flusilazole, triadimefon, ketoconazole, miconazole, difenoconazole and prothioconazole) could lead to a better mechanism-based understanding of their embryotoxicity and pharmacological action. For evaluating embryotoxicity, we applied the total morphological scoring system (TMS) in embryos exposed for 48h. The compounds tested showed embryotoxicity in a dose-response fashion. Functional analysis of differential gene expression after 4h exposure at the ID10 (effective dose for 10% decreased TMS), revealed the sterol biosynthesis pathway and embryonic development genes, dominated by genes in the retinoic acid (RA) pathway, albeit in a differential way. Flusilazole, ketoconazole and triadimefon were the most potent compounds affecting the RA pathway, while in terms of regulation of sterol function, difenoconazole and ketoconazole showed the most pronounced effects. Dose-dependent analysis of the effects of flusilazole revealed that the RA pathway related genes were already differentially expressed at low dose levels while the sterol pathway showed strong regulation at higher embryotoxic doses, suggesting that this pathway is less predictive for the observed embryotoxicity. A similar analysis at the 24-hour time point indicated an additional time-dependent difference in the aforementioned pathways regulated by flusilazole. In summary, the rat WEC assay in combination with transcriptomics could add a mechanistic insight into the embryotoxic potency ranking and pharmacological mode of action of the tested compounds.

Biphasic effect of alpha-linolenic acid on glucose-induced dysmorphogenesis and lipoperoxidation in whole rat embryo in culture

Type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated with pregnancy, know as diabetic embryopathy, is the cause of neonatal malformations and low for gestational age neonates. With the use of the whole-embryo culture system, it has been demonstrated that high glucose causes embryo dysmorphogenesis, and that oxidative stress appears to be the main mechanism. In recent years, beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids has been demonstrated in various diabetic models, and in diabetic complications. Since diabetic embryopathy is mediated probably through membrane lipoperoxidation, This study was designed to find if omega-3 fatty acids could ameliorate the effect of high glucose over the dysmorphogenesis of whole rat embryo in culture. Postimplantational rat embryos were cultured in hyperglycemic media, with addition of alpha-linolenic acid, and morphologic and morphometric parameters were registered. Also, lipoperoxidation and fatty acids composition were measured in cultured embryos. Growth of embryos cultured in presence of glucose was very affected, whereas lipoperoxidation was increased, and it was found that Triton X-100 causes similar results than glucose. Addition of low micromolar doses of alpha-linolenic acid overcome the effect of high glucose or Triton X-100, but higher doses does not ameliorates the effects of the carbohydrate or the detergent. Paradoxically, there are not significant changes in fatty acids composition, although the U/S fatty acids ratio shows an increasing tendency by high glucose and a normalizing tendency by omega-3 fatty acids. In conclusion, glucose and Triton X-100 induces in vitro dysmorphogenesis in post-implantational rat embryos associated with increased lipoperoxidation; and this nocive effect could be ameliorated by low micromolar doses of ALA.

Electroporation in the Rodent Embryonic Brain Using Whole Embryo Culture System.

This unit describes basic methods for mammalian whole embryo culture (WEC) using embryonic day 10.5 mouse embryos, including the preparation of high-quality immediately centrifuged (IC) rat serum that is commonly used for WEC and is essential for normal growth and development of cultured mouse and rat embryos in vitro. An alternative protocol for different stages of rodent embryos is also introduced. Since embryos for WEC are dissected out of the uterus and manipulated under the microscope, one can overcome many of the difficulties of gene delivery encountered using in utero electroporation. A description for a gene transfer method to label neural stem/progenitor cells of the cortical primordium in a highly region-specific manner is also included. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Control of the heart rate of rat embryos during the organogenic period.

The aim of this study was to gain insight into whether the first trimester embryo could control its own heart rate (HR) in response to hypoxia. The gestational day 13 rat embryo is a good model for the human embryo at 5–6 weeks gestation, as the heart is comparable in development and, like the human embryo, has no functional autonomic nerve supply at this stage. Utilizing a whole-embryo culture technique, we examined the effects of different pharmacological agents on HR under normoxic (95% oxygen) and hypoxic (20% oxygen) conditions. Oxygen concentrations ≤60% caused a concentration-dependent decrease in HR from normal levels of ~210 bpm. An adenosine agonist, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator and KATP channel opener all caused bradycardia in normoxic conditions; however, putative antagonists for these systems failed to prevent or ameliorate hypoxia-induced bradycardia. This suggests that the activation of one or more of these systems is not the primary cause of the observed hypoxia-induced bradycardia. Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation also decreased HR in normoxic conditions, highlighting the importance of ATP levels. The β-blocker metoprolol caused a concentration-dependent reduction in HR supporting reports that β1-adrenergic receptors are present in the early rat embryonic heart. The cAMP inducer colforsin induced a positive chronotropic effect in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Overall, the embryonic HR at this stage of development is responsive to the level of oxygenation, probably as a consequence of its influence on ATP production.

Chlormequat chloride retards rat embryo growth in vitro

Chlormequat chloride is the most widely used plant growth regulator in agriculture to promote sturdier growth of grain crops by avoidance of lodging. Therefore, human exposure to chlormequat chloride is very common, but its developmental toxicity has not been studied. Thus, we investigated the developmental toxicity of chlormequat chloride by applying rat whole embryo culture (WEC) model, limb bud micromass culture and 3T3 fibroblast cytotoxicity test. Chlormequat chloride at 150μg/ml (0.93mM) retarded the rat embryo growth without causing significant morphological malformations and at 500μg/ml (3.1mM) caused both retardation and morphological malformation of the embryos. However, the proliferation and differentiation of limb bud cells were not affected by chlormequat chloride at as high as up to 1000μg/ml (6.2mM) applied. This concentration of chlormequat chloride did not affect the cell viability as examined by 3T3 fibroblast cytotoxicity test either, suggesting that cellular toxicity may not play a role in chlormequat induced inhibition of rat embryo growth. Collectively, our results demonstrated that chlormequat chloride may affect embryo growth and development without inhibiting cell viability.

A Tribolium castaneum whole-embryo culture protocol for studying the molecular mechanisms and morphogenetic movements involved in insect development.

The development of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum is more representative of arthropods than the evolutionarily derived fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Thus, Tribolium is becoming an emerging organism model for studying the evolution of the mechanisms that control embryonic development in arthropods. In this regard, diverse genetic and molecular tools are currently available for Tribolium, as well as imaging and embryonic techniques. Recently, we developed a method for culturing embryos in order to study specific stages during Tribolium development. In this report, we present a detailed and "easy-to-follow" protocol for embryo handling and dissection, extending the use of whole-embryo culture to functional analysis by performing in vivo pharmacological manipulations. This experimental accessibility allowed us to study the relevance of microtubules in axis elongation, using nocodazole and taxol drugs to interfere with microtubule networks, followed by length measurement analysis. Additionally, we demonstrated that embryo handling had no effect on the development of Tribolium embryos, and we checked viability after dissection and bisection and during incubation using propidium iodide. The embryo culture protocol we describe here can be applied to study diverse developmental processes in Tribolium. We expect that this protocol can be adapted and applied to other arthropods.

A serum-free and defined medium for the culture of mammalian postimplantation embryos

Whole embryo culture (WEC) of postimplantation rodent embryos is widely used for the study of mammalian embryogenesis and developmental toxicity testing. Its major advantage is that it allows direct access to embryos for experimental manipulations and the monitoring of their consequences that would otherwise not be possible or technically difficult to perform in utero. However, a major drawback of mammalian WEC is that the culture media currently in use display batch variations and are undefined, as they contain serum or serum replacements of unknown composition. Moreover, these media possess cell-signalling activities important for embryogenesis. Therefore, reproducibility of mammalian postimplantation WEC results may be affected by batch variation and their interpretation is complicated because the experimenter is unsure whether the embryo response to experimental perturbations is solely due to their action, or modified as a result of influences from undefined substances/signaling activities present in culture media. To alleviate these problems we investigated whether N2B27, a serum-free and defined medium, can support the in vitro development of postimplantation mammalian embryos. We show that N2B27 allows pre-gastrulation mouse embryos isolated at embryonic day 5.5 to develop to advanced gastrulation, reaching the mid- and late primitive streak stages. This is the first demonstration that postimplantation mammalian embryos can develop in vitro in a defined medium in the absence of serum and provides a novel WEC system for studying developmental mechanisms and testing for developmental toxicity during the early postimplantation period.

Dimethadione embryotoxicity in the rat is neither correlated with maternal systemic drug concentrations nor embryonic tissue levels

Pregnant rats treated with dimethadione (DMO), the N-demethylated metabolite of the anticonvulsant trimethadione, produce offspring having a 74% incidence of congenital heart defects (CHD); however, the incidence of CHD has high inter-litter variability (40–100%) that presents a challenge when studying the initiating events prior to the presentation of an abnormal phenotype. We hypothesized that the variability in CHD incidence was the result of differences in maternal systemic concentrations or embryonic tissue concentrations of DMO. To test this hypothesis, dams were administered 300mg/kg DMO every 12h from the evening of gestational day (GD) 8 until the morning of GD 11 (six total doses). Maternal serum levels of DMO were assessed on GD 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 and 21. Embryonic tissue concentrations of DMO were assessed on GD 11, 12, 13 and 14. In a separate cohort of GD 12 embryos, DMO concentrations and parameters of growth and development were assessed to determine if tissue levels of DMO were correlated with these endpoints. Embryos were exposed directly to different concentrations of DMO with whole embryo culture (WEC) and their growth and development assessed. Key findings were that neither maternal systemic concentrations nor tissue concentrations of DMO identified embryos that were sensitive or resistant to DMO in vivo. Direct exposure of embryos to DMO via WEC also failed to show correlations between embryonic concentrations of DMO with developmental outcomes in vitro. We conclude that neither maternal serum nor embryonic tissue concentrations of DMO predict embryonic outcome.

A novel whole-embryo culture model for pharmaceutical and developmental studies.

This report introduces a new vertebrate whole-embryo culture model for the direct application of pharmaceuticals and/or toxins into developing embryos. This method uses a terrestrial amphibian system and therefore has eliminated the problem of mammalian placental and uterine concerns. To test the utility and effectiveness of this method, we investigated the effect of fluoxetine on craniofacial development. Fluoxetine is one of the most commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on the market and treatment of depression during pregnancy is commonly deemed necessary. Previous studies have shown that SSRIs may promote developmental defects and congenital malformations of the heart. This model utilized the egg/embryos of the directly developing Puerto Rican coquí frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui. The E. coqui embryo clutches were placed on filter paper in a Petri dish and were directly exposed (chronically) to fluoxetine concentrations ranging from 0.10mM to 1.0mM. Traditional whole-mount bone (Alizarin red) and cartilage (Alcian blue) staining was utilized to show the effect of fluoxetine on craniofacial development. Whole-mount staining revealed profound defects in cartilage development, particularly in the nasal capsule, mandible, and the brain case. Further, fluoxetine-treated embryos developed significantly slower compared to control animals. We found that the E. coqui culture model was an effective and sensitive technique for pharmaceutical studies, particularly since it allows the direct application of drugs and toxins into the developing embryo without the hindrance of the uterus and placenta. Chromatographic analysis revealed that fluoxetine infiltrated and penetrated embryonic tissue. It was found that altering serotonergic activity during development, via fluoxetine, stunted craniofacial development and organization.

Curcumin ameliorates high glucose-induced neural tube defects by suppressing cellular stress and apoptosis

Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenol present in the roots of the Curcuma longa plant (turmeric), which possesses antioxidant, antitumorigenic, and antiinflammatory properties. Here, we test whether curcumin treatment reduces high glucose-induced neural tube defects (NTDs), and if this occurs via blocking cellular stress and caspase activation. Embryonic day 8.5 mouse embryos were collected for use in whole-embryo culture under normal (100 mg/dL) or high (300 mg/dL) glucose conditions, with or without curcumin treatment. After 24 hours in culture, protein levels of oxidative stress makers, nitrosative stress makers, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress makers, cleaved caspase 3 and 8, and the level of lipid peroxides were determined in the embryos. After 36 hours in culture, embryos were examined for evidence of NTD formation. Although 10 μmol/L of curcumin did not significantly reduce the rate of NTDs caused by high glucose, 20 μmol/L of curcumin significantly ameliorated high glucose-induced NTD formation. Curcumin suppressed oxidative stress in embryos cultured under high glucose conditions. Treatment reduced the levels of the lipid peroxidation marker, 4-hydroxynonenal, nitrotyrosine-modified protein, and lipid peroxides. Curcumin also blocked ER stress by inhibiting phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phosphorylated inositol-requiring protein-1α (p-IRE1α), phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (p-eIF2α), C/EBP-homologous protein, binding immunoglobulin protein, and x-box binding protein 1 messenger RNA splicing. Additionally, curcumin abolished caspase 3 and caspase 8 cleavage in embryos cultured under high glucose conditions. Curcumin reduces high glucose-induced NTD formation by blocking cellular stress and caspase activation, suggesting that curcumin supplements could reduce the negative effects of diabetes on the embryo. Further investigation will be needed to determine if the experimental findings can translate into clinical settings.

Fate mapping of gallbladder progenitors in posteroventral foregut endoderm of mouse early somite-stage embryos.

In early embryogenesis, the posteroventral foregut endoderm gives rise to the budding endodermal organs including the liver, ventral pancreas and gallbladder during early somitogenesis. Despite the detailed fate maps of the liver and pancreatic progenitors in the mouse foregut endoderm, the exact location of the gallbladder progenitors remains unclear. In this study, we performed a DiI fate-mapping analysis using whole-embryo cultures of mouse early somite-stage embryos. Here, we show that the majority of gallbladder progenitors in 9–11-somite-stage embryos are located in the lateral-most domain of the foregut endoderm at the first intersomite junction level along the anteroposterior axis. This definition of their location highlights a novel entry point to understanding of the molecular mechanisms of initial specification of the gallbladder.

Species extrapolation of life-stage physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models to investigate the developmental toxicology of ethanol using in vitro to in vivo (IVIVE) methods.

To provide useful alternatives to in vivo animal studies, in vitro assays for dose-response assessments of xenobiotic chemicals must use concentrations in media and target tissues that are within biologically-plausible limits. Determining these concentrations is a complex matter, which can be facilitated by applying physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models in an in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) paradigm. We used ethanol (EtOH), a ubiquitous chemical with defined metrics for in vivo and in vitro embryotoxicity, as a model chemical to evaluate this paradigm. A published series of life-stage PBPK models for rats was extended to mice, yielding simulations that adequately predicted in vivo blood EtOH concentrations (BECs) from oral, intraperitoneal, and intravenous routes in nonpregnant and pregnant adult mice. The models were then extrapolated to nonpregnant and pregnant humans, replicating BEC data within a factor of two. The rodent models were then used to conduct IVIVEs for rodent and whole-embryo culture embryotoxicity data (neural tube closure defects, morphological changes). A second IVIVE was conducted for exposure scenarios in pregnant women during critical windows of susceptibility for developmental toxicity, such as the first 6-to-8 weeks (prerecognition period) or mid-to-late pregnancy period, when EtOH consumption is associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Incorporation of data from human embryonic stem cell studies led to a model-supported linkage of in vitro concentrations with plausible exposure ranges for pregnant women. This effort demonstrates benefits and challenges associated with use of multispecies PBPK models to estimate in vivo tissue concentrations associated with in vitro embryotoxicity studies.

Preparation of Rat Serum Suitable for Mammalian Whole Embryo Culture

Mammalian whole embryo culture (WEC) is a widely used technique for examining pharmacological toxicity in developing mouse and rat embryos and for investigating the mechanisms of developmental processes. Immediately centrifuged (IC) rat serum is commonly used for WEC and is essential for the growth and development of cultured mouse and rat embryos ex vivo. For the culture of midgestation embryos (i.e., E8.0-12.5 for the mouse, and E10.0-14.5 for the rat), 100% rat serum is the best media for supporting the growth of the embryo ex vivo. To prepare rat serum suitable for WEC, the collected blood should be centrifuged immediately to separate the blood cells from the plasma fraction. After centrifugation, the fibrin clot forms in the upper layer; this clot should be squeezed gently using a pair of sterile forceps and subsequently centrifuged to completely separate the blood cells from the serum. In this video article, we demonstrate our standard protocol for the preparation of optimal IC rat serum, including blood collection from the abdominal aorta of male rats and extraction of the serum by centrifugation.

Embryotoxicity of Transgenic Rice TT51 and Cry1Ab Bt Insecticidal Toxin in Rat Post Implantation Whole Embryo Culture

TT51, with a synthetic Cry1Ab/CryAc gene from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, was the first genetically modified (GM) plant officially certificated in China. This study was undertaken to investigate potential embryotoxicity of TT51 on rats. Whole embryo culture (WEC) is an effective method for safety evaluation when culture medium, containing substances derived from GM food, is available. Rat embryos explanted from uterus were randomly distributed into 6 groups: Transgenic Rice (TR) group with transgenic rice dietary administration, Parental Rice (PR) group with parental rice dietary administration, Blank Control (BC), Positive control A (PCA) group with Bisphenol A being directly added into the culture medium, Positive control B (PCB) group with Bisphenol A oral administration and Bt protein (BP) group with Bt protein directly added into culture medium. After culturing for 48 h, embryos were scored for growth and differentiation at the endpoint. Embryos in TR group had no significantly lower morphological scores or smaller yolk sac diameter, crown-rump length (CRL) and cranial diameter comparing with those in BC and PR group. Embryos in PCA and PCB group both performed significantly lower developmental parameters and morphological scores than the other three groups. Embryos directly exposed to Bt protein (52 mg/L) exhibited severe morphological anomalies but no significant difference in yolk sac diameter compared with PR, TR and BC groups. In this WEC model, TT51 showed no embryotoxicity to rats although Bt toxin had side effect on embryos when the concentration is equal to the daily intake of Bt protein in TT51 diet. And it also indicated that WEC method can make an option for toxicological assessment of GM food.

Mono‐2‐ethylhexyl phthalate exposure impairs embryonic growth and nutrition and alters epigenetic programming during early organogenesis (137.8)

The early organogenesis stage of development provides a window of susceptibility during which the nutrient environment guides processes such as epigenetic programming, cellular differentiation, and overall growth. The placenta is not yet functional, leaving receptor mediated endocytosis (RME) of proteins and their cargoes through the visceral yolk sac as the primary source of embryonic (EMB) nutrition. Supplementation of maternal diets with methyl donors and cofactors required for one‐carbon metabolism (C1) has been shown to modify epigenetic programming and prevent neural tube defects. Environmental agents, such as the plasticizer MEHP, are associated with abnormal growth and neurodevelopment, yet the mechanistic relationship between chemical and nutritional agents remains unknown. Our objective was to assess whether MEHP impairs growth, attenuates embryonic nutrient uptake, and alters epigenetic programming during organogenesis.Mouse conceptuses were explanted into whole embryo culture (WEC) on GD 8 and exposed directly to 100 or 250 μg/ml MEHP. After 24 h, exposed embryos showed a dose‐dependent increase of incomplete closure of the neural tube, increased cellular oxidation, and produced a significant reduction in overall growth. Assessment of RME activity, based on FITC‐albumin uptake, showed dose‐dependent decreases in histiotrophic nutrition. Conceptal C1 substrates were measured after 24 hr using mass spectrometry with vitamin B12, choline, and homocysteine being decreased only at the low dose. Betaine and folate were decreased in both the low‐ and high‐dose samples while methionine, cysteine, and S‐adenosylmethionine increased with dose. Histone hypermethylation due to treatment occurred at H3K27 loci, while hypermethylation of H3K4 occurred only in EMB with open neural tubes. This work demonstrates the ability of environmental chemicals to modify EMB nutrition and epigenetic programming, and shows that these changes may lead to growth dysregulation.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIEHS (P30 ES017885, T32 ES07062) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Round 7).

Disposition of glycolic acid into rat and rabbit embryos in vitro

High dose gavage administration of ethylene glycol (EG) induces teratogenicity in rodents, but not in rabbits, resulting from saturation of intermediate EG metabolism and glycolic acid (GA) accumulation. In vivo, rat embryos sequester GA 2–4-fold higher than maternal blood, a phenomenon absent in rabbits and proposed not to occur in humans. This research explored the mechanisms of GA disposition into rat and rabbit conceptuses using whole embryo culture (WEC). Rat and rabbit embryos concentrated GA from the culture medium. In vitro to in vivo discordance in the rabbit plausibly stemmed from anatomical differences between these models. GA sequestration was attenuated at 4°C in both species. Rat embryos further demonstrated pH-dependence of GA sequestration and inhibition by d-lactic acid. These data suggest GA disposition into rat and rabbit embryos is energy- and pH-dependent, and carrier-mediated. Anatomical and maternal-to-conceptal pH gradient differences likely underlie the lack of enhanced GA disposition in non-rodent species.

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) Treatment Causes an Arrest of Cell Division and Apoptosis in Rat Embryonic Erythroblasts in Whole Embryo Culture

Within 24 hr after oral administration of the antimalarial artesunate to rats on Day 10 or 11 postcoitum (pc), there is depletion of embryonic erythroblasts (EEbs), leading to embryo malformation and death. The proximate agent is dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the primary metabolite. We investigated the causes of EEb depletion by evaluating effects of DHA on EEbs in whole embryo culture (WEC). Rat embryos cultured starting on Day 9 pc were treated with 1 or 7 μM DHA for 24 hr starting after 19 hr of culture (∼Day 10 pc) and for 2 to 12 hr starting after 43 hr of culture (∼Day 11 pc). DHA effects indicating the depletion of EEbs were paling of the visceral yolk sac and reductions in visible blood cells, H&E-stained normal (Type II or III) EEbs, and dividing (BrdU-stained) EEbs. DHA-induced abnormal cell division was indicated by increases in symmetric and asymmetric binuclear cells. DHA-induced apoptosis was indicated by increases in TUNEL- and Caspase-3-positive cells and EEbs with fragmented nuclei. In addition, although the overall number of EEbs was decreasing, DHA caused increases in the numbers of circulating early-stage (Type I or earlier) EEbs that could not be accounted for by cell division, suggesting the release of new, less sensitive erythroblasts from the yolk sac. In summary, treatment of Day 10 or 11 pc rat embryos with DHA in WEC resulted in defective and arrested cell division in EEbs followed by apoptosis, suggesting a mechanism for their depletion after artesunate treatment in vivo.

The effect of sevoflurane on developing A/J strain mouse embryos using a whole-embryo culture system—the incidence of cleft lip in culture embryos

A/J strain mice have a high spontaneous incidence of cleft lip (ICL) and/or palate. The primary palate-related effects of sevoflurane on developing A/J strain mouse embryos (embryos) were studied using a whole-embryo culture (WEC) system. This system could separate the direct effects of sevoflurane from those that are maternally mediated. A total of 205 10.5-d embryos were cultured for 24 h in either a control group (control gas: 95% O2 and 5% CO2) or sevoflurane-administered groups (1/4, 1/2, and 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) with control gas) for 8 h. After 16 h, 11.5-d culture embryos were examined in terms of crown-rump length, number of somites, and protein content. Crown-rump length in the 1 MAC was significantly shorter than in the control group (p < 0.05). Protein content in the 1/2 MAC (p < 0.05) and 1 MAC (p < 0.001) was significantly lower than in the control group. The ICL showed no significant differences between each group. (The ICL rose with an increase in the sevoflurane concentration, but this was not significant). The positive findings in this study indicate that a WEC system is useful for studying the mechanisms of ICL (teratogenicity) associated with sevoflurane.