Developmental Toxicity Flashcards
(10 cards)
What are common agents causing developmental toxicity?
Thalidomide (limb defects), ethanol (fetal alcohol syndrome), valproic acid (neural tube defects), lead (cognitive deficits), retinoic acid (craniofacial defects).
What is the mechanism of thalidomide developmental toxicity?
Disrupts angiogenesis and redox signaling during limb development.
What is the mechanism of ethanol developmental toxicity?
Interferes with neural crest cell migration and differentiation.
What is the mechanism of valproic acid developmental toxicity?
Inhibits histone deacetylases (HDACs), altering gene expression during neural tube closure.
What are biomarkers for developmental toxicity?
Reduced birth weight, skeletal anomalies (e.g., phocomelia), neurobehavioral deficits.
What are testing methods for developmental toxicity?
Segment II studies (embryo-fetal development), zebrafish assays (teratogenicity), in vitro embryotoxicity tests.
What are endpoints for developmental toxicity?
Structural malformations (e.g., cleft palate), functional deficits (e.g., learning disabilities), fetal death.
How does lead cause developmental toxicity?
Inhibits neuronal development and synaptic plasticity in the brain.
What is the role of retinoic acid in developmental toxicity?
Excess causes craniofacial defects via altered gene expression in neural crest cells.
How does ethanol affect fetal development?
Causes microcephaly and facial dysmorphia via oxidative stress and apoptosis.
