Conventional Test Method:

Prenatal Developmental Toxicity Study (OECD TG 414)

Alternative Test Method:

Name & Description:

Micromass Embryotoxicity Assay

This method uses rat micromass cultures of limb bud and detects the inhibition of cell differentiation and growth, which are parameters suitable for teratogenicity testing.

Validation Status:

EU: Validated by ECVAM for identifying strong embryotoxic chemicals (2002)

Regulatory Status:

None

Effect or Potential Effect on Animal Use:

Refinement
(Uses embryos from killed animals)

References:

• ECVAM (2002) The use of scientifically-validated in vitro tests for embryotoxicity: ESAC Statement on the scientific validity of the Micromass test – an in vitro test for embryotoxicity.
• ECVAM (2006) The Micromass Test – Method of Brown: INVITTOX no 122, Embryotoxicity/Teratogenicity
• Genshow E., Spielmann H., Scholz G., Seiler A., Brown N., Piersma A., Brady A., Clemann N., Huuskonen H., Paillard F., Bremer S, and Becker K. (2002) The ECVAM international validation study on in vitro embryotoxicity tests: results of the definitive phase and evaluation of prediction models. ATLA 30(2):151-176
• Spielmann H., Seiler A., Bremer S., Hareng L., Hartung T., Ahr H., Faustman E., Haas U., Moffat G.J., Nau H., Vanparys P., Piersma A., Sintes J.R. and Stuart J. (2006) The practical application of three validated in vitro embryotoxicity tests: The report and recommendation of an ECVAM/ZEBET workshop (ECVAM workshop 57). ATLA 34(5):527-538.

Information Last Reviewed:

May 2012