Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Valproic acid-induced spina bifida: a mouse model.

K Ehlers1, H Stürje, H J Merker

  • 1Institute of Toxicology and Embryopharmacology, Free University Berlin, Germany.

Teratology
|February 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) in mice on day 9 of gestation induced spina bifida. This study demonstrates a direct link between VPA and spinal defects, providing a model for human spina bifida research.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effect of valproate on zinc metabolism in fetal and maternal rats fed normal and zinc-deficient diets.

Biological trace element research·2013
Same author

Effects of cyclophosphamide and acrolein in organoid cultures of mouse limb bud cells grown in the presence of adult rat hepatocytes.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA·2010
Same author

Effect of acyclovir in vitro on lymphopoiesis in the foetal rat thymus.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA·2010
Same author

Effects of ofloxacin on chondrogenesis in murine cartilage organoid culture.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA·2010
Same author

Potency of monomethyl-, dimethylformamide and some of their metabolites to induce abnormal development in a limb Bud organ culture.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA·2010
Same author

Effects of ofloxacin on integrin expression on epiphyseal mouse chondrocytes in vitro.

Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA·2010

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Teratology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug, is linked to human neural tube defects like spina bifida.
  • Previous studies in mice showed VPA induced exencephaly (anterior neural tube defect) but not spina bifida (posterior neural tube defect).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally demonstrate a direct relationship between VPA administration during pregnancy and the induction of spina bifida in mice.
  • To investigate the dose-dependency and localization of VPA-induced spinal malformations.

Main Methods:

  • Pregnant mice were administered various doses of VPA on day 9 of gestation at three time intervals.
  • Spina bifida induction was assessed in fetal skeletons using double staining and vertebral arch measurements.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Drug-specific patterns were confirmed by comparing treated fetuses with controls.

    • Main Results:

    • Multiple VPA administrations on day 9 of gestation induced both spina bifida aperta (low incidence) and spina bifida occulta (high incidence) in mice.
    • Spina bifida occulta was induced by lower VPA doses, while higher doses were required for spina bifida aperta.
    • The lumbar region was affected by all doses, with the sacral/coccygeal region affected by higher doses, indicating a dose-dependent localization.

    Conclusions:

    • This study provides experimental evidence directly linking VPA exposure during a specific gestational period to the development of spina bifida in mice.
    • The findings establish a relevant animal model for studying the mechanisms underlying human spina bifida.
    • The observed dose-dependent induction of spinal defects highlights the teratogenic potential of VPA on posterior neural tube development.