Effects of ascorbic acid on selenium teratogenicity in cultured rat embryos

The effects of ascorbic acid, as an exogenous antioxidant, on selenium (Se) teratogenicity were examined using rat embryo culture. Rat embryos at day 9.5 of gestation were cultured for 48 h in the presence of sodium selenite at 10 and 20 microM or sodium selenate at 30 and 100 microM with or without the addition of 1 mM of L-ascorbic acid (AsA). Selenite or selenate alone increased the incidence of embryonic malformation. With AsA, the incidence of selenite-induced embryonic malformation was increased. On the contrary, the incidence of selenate-induced embryonic malformation was decreased with AsA. It was considered from these results that the redox states in the embryonic environment and of Se are critical in Se teratogenicity.