Ketoconazole- and fluconazole-induced embryotoxicity and skeletal anomalies in Wistar rats: A comparative study

Abstract

Ketoconazole and fluconazole are two broad-spectrum azole antifungals used for the treatment of superficial and systemic mycoses. Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity have been reported in some studies when those drugs are administered at high doses to pregnant rats. The aim of this study was to present a comparative study of embryotoxic effects as well as the skeletal anomalies in fetuses of Wistar rats which received ketoconazole and fluconazole at teratogenic doses on gestational days (GD) 6 through 15 (organogenesis period). On gestational day (GD) 21, the dams were euthanized and examined for standard parameters of reproductive outcome. Fetuses were stained with alizarin red and the bones of the head, trunk, forelimb and hindlimb were examined for detection of skeletal anomalies. The frequency of skeletal anomalies in the ketoconazole-treated group was significant when compared to the fluconazole and the control group.