Teratological Testing, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1979 Advances in the Study of Birth Defects Series, Vol. 2

The study of birth defects has assumed an importance even greater now than in the past because mortality rates attributed to congenital anomalies have declined far less than those for other causes of death, such as infectious and nutritional diseases. It is estimated that as many as 50% of all pregnancies terminate as miscarriages. In the majority of cases this is the result of faulty development. Major congenital malformations are found in at least 2% of all liveborn infants, and 22% of all stillbirths and infant deaths are associated with severe congenital anomalies. Teratological studies of an experimental nature are neither ethical nor justifiable in humans. Numerous investigations have been carried out in laboratory animals and other experimental models in order to improve our understanding of abnormal intra-uterine development. In less than two decades the field of experimental teratology has advanced phenomenally. As a result of the wide range of information that is now accumulating, it has become possible to obtain an insight into the causes, mec.;hanisms and prevention of birth defects. However, considerable work will be needed before these problems can be resolved. The· contributions in this volume deal primarily with the areas of terato­ logical evaluation and the use of selected animal models for the study of con­ genital anomalies. It is not only a documentation of the latest experimental work, but it also indicates new and important areas for future research.

1 Primate teratology: selection of species and future use.- 2 Usefulness of Golden Syrian hamster in experimental teratology with particular reference to the induction of orofacial malformations.- 3 Morphogenetic systems and the central phenomena of teratology.- 4 Some problems of chemical teratogenesis.- 5 Cyclophosphamide treatment prior to implantation: the effects on embryonic development.- 6 Effects of steroid sex hormones on the development of early mouse embryos in vitro and in vivo.- 7 Hormonal teratogenesis in mammary glands of the mouse.- 8 Reproductive and teratological studies with prostaglandins.- 9 Percutaneous embryotoxicity testing of chemicals.- 10 Effects of mycotoxins on development.- 11 Embryotoxicity of polybrominated biphenyls.- 12 Acute alcohol intoxication in the pregnant rat.- 13 Experimental studies on the influence of male alcoholism on testicular function, pregnancy and progeny.- 14 Teratogenicity of inhalation anaesthetic agents.- 15 Effects of prenatal exposure to ultrasound.- 16 Clinical and experimental aspects of prenatal virus infections.- 17 Environmental effects on normogenesis and teratogenesis, with special regard to noise and vibration.