Effect of Ascaris chymotrypsin inhibitor on fetal development of mice

BALB/c mice were given daily doses of 40-80 mg of Ascaris chymotrypsin inhibitor /AChI/ per kg body weight from 12th until 15th day of gestation (stage of fetal development). It has been found that injection of AChI disturbed the course of pregnancy (bleeding from uterus, abortions, decreased body weight gain as compared to control /p < 0.05/). AChI exhibited embryotoxic effects (a high rate of intrauterine deaths, decreased number of living fetuses and mean fetal weight, delayed skeletal ossification, induced pathological changes of fetal organs and tissues). Congenital malformation (hydronephrosis) was noted in fetuses after injection of higher doses of the chymotrypsin inhibitor from Ascaris.