Teratogenic effects prediction

Many possible alternative models have been explored during the last decades (e.g., whole rate embryo culture and primary or permanent embryonic stem cells54). Furthermore, different attempts have been made to develop QSAR approaches for the prediction of teratogenic effects.55-57 Fish embryos also appear to be a promising alternative test system for the reliable and cost-effective identification of potential human teratogenic compounds.58 An experimental advantage is their extracorporal development and the transparency of the eggs of... 

Currently, only the Hydra system incorporates a measurement of toxicity to the adult to provide a comparison of the sensitivity of the embryo with that of the adult (Johnson et al., 1988). However, the Hydra screen has not been fully validated as being predictive of results in mammals, and has fallen from favor. Thus, a major goal of research directed toward developing an in vitro teratogen screen should be to find a simple yet appropriate measure of toxicity unrelated to development. This would allow the comparison of the dose for a 50% effect (ED50) on developmental toxicity as measured in vitro to an ED50 for adult toxicity in vitro. The validation... 

PASS Predicts 900 pharmacological effects, mechanisms of action, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, and embryotoxicity... 

The lack of followup data on volunteers prevents certainty in predicting occurence or absence of delayed effects. The compounds are eliminated very rapidly from the body, but they produce a variety of acute effects that are short-lived and reversible, such as gastrointestinal distress after oral administration, pain at an injection site, dizziness, headache, and ocular discomfort. The Committee found no conclusive studies of carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, or reproductive anomalies associated with the four oximes and therefore did not reach a conclusion in this regard. 

CR, a mild lacrimatory Irritant, manifests less acute toxicity than CN and CS. At low doses, it causes transient effects. There are a few studies on long-term health effects, including potential mutagenicity and teratogenicity. The available data are insufficient to predict long-term health effects. The small number of exposures and the small number of subjects exposed to CR at low doses at Edgewood make the occurrence of demonstrable effects In these subjects unlikely. 

Due to the inconclusive nature of the data, the potential for reproductive effects in humans due to heptachlor is not possible to predict. Also, based on animal data, there is no suggestion that heptachlor is teratogenic in humans. 

There are no data on human exposure from which to predict the long-term effects from Lewisite. There is no substantial evidence to suggest that Lewisite is carcinogenic, teratogenic, or mutagenic (Goldman and Dacre, 1989). The committee appointed by the National Academy of Science reported a causal relationship between Lewisite exposure and chronic respiratory diseases, and also that acute, severe injuries to the eye from Lewisite will persist (Pechura and RaU, 1993). 

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