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Changes induced by pineal indoles in post-implantation mouse embryos
1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories.
General Pharmacology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Melatonin, methoxytryptamine, and methoxytryptophol can harm early embryo development. Methoxytryptamine specifically showed adverse effects on embryonic development in vivo, impacting fetal growth and survival.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology
- Developmental biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Melatonin and its metabolites are endogenous compounds with diverse physiological roles.
- Investigating the potential embryotoxic effects of these compounds is crucial for understanding reproductive safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo and in vitro effects of hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA), melatonin (MEL), methoxytryptophol (MTP), and methoxytryptamine (MTA) on early embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- Subcutaneous injections of compounds were administered to pregnant rodents at specific gestational days.
- In vitro cultures of embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of MEL, MTP, and MTA.
- Embryonic development, fetal weight, resorption rates, and morphological abnormalities were assessed.
Main Results:
- In vivo, methoxytryptophol (MTP) administration led to decreased gravid uterine weight, fewer live fetuses, and increased resorptions.
- In vitro, melatonin (MEL), MTP, and methoxytryptamine (MTA) induced abnormalities in yolk sac circulation, body axis, and organogenesis.
- Methoxytryptamine (MTA) was the only compound showing adverse effects on embryonic development in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin, methoxytryptamine, and methoxytryptophol exhibit embryotoxic potential in early somite stage embryos in vitro.
- Methoxytryptamine demonstrates an adverse effect on embryonic development in vivo, highlighting its teratogenic risk.