Diagnostic interpretation of congenital anomalies in preclinical trials.

Abstract

The objective of this review was to specify overall aspects about the production mechanisms of congenital anomalies, as long as the elements to take into account for their detection and assessment in preclinical studies. Any agent that disturbs, with sufficient intensity, either of the mechanisms in the embryo-fetal development process, may cause congenital defects. Therefore, their identification has major importance in teratologic potential preclinical assays, which are performed to ensure that a particular drug can be used during pregnancy without negative consequences. This can be accomplished by means of standardized processes, such as fetal staining with alizarin red for the assessment of skeletal morphology, and fetal fixation in Bouin’s solution to assess visceral morphology. Some of the most common defects are located on the abdominal wall (gastroschysis, onfalocele) or in the form of skeletal variations (supernumerary ribs, poor ossification), hence, they must be carefully interpreted in order to elucidate whether its presence is related to the administration of a drug.