Neural-tube defects produced in Syrian hamsters by potato glycoalkaloids

Keeler et al. (78) showed that potato sprouts could be teratogens for the central nervous system in the Syrian hamster. We demonstrate here the same teratogenic effect from a British cultivar, Arran Pilot. Most of the activity was traced to the two solanidine triglycosides, alpha-chaconine and, at a higher dose level, alpha-solanine. Some possible implications for the study of human neural-tube defects are considered.