Abstract
An in vitro system for detection of embryotoxins has been developed by using primary cultures of embryo fibroblasts. Various embryotoxins, including benzo[a]pyrene and thalidomide, have trivial cytotoxicity in embryo fibroblast systems, which is at least in part due to a lack of capacity for metabolic activation. Introduction of steps for microsomal pre-incubation and calcium-precipitation prior to chemical contact resulted in the clear appearance of embryotoxicity toward thalidomide and benzo[a]pyrene. This pre-incubation method will offer advantages for the detection of embryotoxins, which require maternal metabolic activation, and for understanding the mechanisms of their metabolic activations.
