Conventional Test Method:

Prenatal Developmental Toxicity Study (OECD TG 414)

Alternative Test Method:

Name & Description:

Whole Rat Embryo Embryotoxicity Assay

A morphological scoring system is used to assess signs of malformation or retardation in embryos exposed to the test compound over a 48 hr period as well as embryonic death.

Validation Status:

EU: Validated by ECVAM for identifying strong, weakly and non-embryotoxic chemicals (2000)

Regulatory Status:

No information

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 (1999) Embryotoxicity testing in Post-Implantation embryo Culture – Method of Piersma: INVITTOX no.123. 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