Teratogenic Actions of Some Methylated Xanthines in Mice

Abstract

Theophylline (175, 200 and 225 mg/kg), theobromine (500 and 600 mg/kg), theobromine sodium salicylate (600 mg/kg) and caffeine (200 and 250 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally to the ICR-JCL mice once on the day 12 of gestation and their fetuses were examined for their abnormalities on the day 18 of gestation. Main findings are as follows: 1. All of these compounds induced significantly high incidences of the fetuses with malformations and/or subcutaneous hematomas mostly in the adjacent region. 2. The type of malformations in all the treated groups was mainly skeletal defects such as cleft palate, digital defects and micrognathia. There was some difference of their frequences among the kinds of compound. 3. There may exist a tendency that the digital defects and hematomas occur more frequently on the left fore-and hind limb than those on the right limbs in most of the treated groups. 4. In the groups treated with larger dosage of theophylline, theobromine and caffeine, a lethal effect on the fetuses was shown. 5. Body weight of the live fetuses was significantly decreased in all the treated groups except for the treated with the lowest dosage of theophylline. © 1969, Editorial Board of Okajimas Folia Anatomica Japonica. All rights reserved.