Teratogenesis and Reproductive Toxicology (Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 65)

The resolution of links between exposure to components of our complex environmental and causation of reproductive effects in the population constitutes an important problem in the field of toxicology. The focus of this volume is developmental toxicology, which represents one aspect of reproductive toxicology dealing with the study of adverse effects on the developing conceptus. Developmental toxicology, which includes teratogenesis as one of its manifesta­ tions, provides a fertile field for research in several basic and clinical disciplines; this field also receives input from several disoiplines such as developmental and molecu­ lar biology, pathology, pharmacology and toxicology, pediatrics and neonatology, and epidemiology. More recently we h~ve seen an emergence of interest in other fields such as perinatal physiology and postnatal behavior which have now become incorporated into the mainstream of research in this discipline. The present volume is an effort to provide a sampling of concepts currently under active investigation in several of the above fields. The authors have endeavored to provide up-to-date in­ formation on the following topics: detection and analysis of potential hazards to the conceptus in the workplace, pharmacokinetic aspects of the maternal/placental! fetal complex and its relationship to human birth defects, and probable mechanisms of teratogenesis as uncovered in certain well-defined situations. Also included are summaries of newer investigations on the emerging field of postnatal functional evaluations, i. e. , adverse effects on adult activities resultant from in utero exposure to toxic substances. The resolution of links between exposure to components of our complex environmental and causation of reproductive effects in the population constitutes an important problem in the field of toxicology. The focus of this volume is developmental toxicology, which represents one aspect of reproductive toxicology dealing with the study of adverse effects on the developing conceptus. Developmental toxicology, which includes teratogenesis as one of its manifestaƯ tions, provides a fertile field for research in several basic and clinical disciplines; this field also receives input from several disoiplines such as developmental and molecuƯ lar biology, pathology, pharmacology and toxicology, pediatrics and neonatology, and epidemiology. More recently we h~ve seen an emergence of interest in other fields such as perinatal physiology and postnatal behavior which have now become incorporated into the mainstream of research in this discipline. The present volume is an effort to provide a sampling of concepts currently under active investigation in several of the above fields. The authors have endeavored to provide up-to-date inƯ formation on the following topics: detection and analysis of potential hazards to the conceptus in the workplace, pharmacokinetic aspects of the maternal/placental! fetal complex and its relationship to human birth defects, and probable mechanisms of teratogenesis as uncovered in certain well-defined situations. Also included are summaries of newer investigations on the emerging field of postnatal functional evaluations, i. e., adverse effects on adult activities resultant from in utero exposure to toxic substances Front Matter....Pages I-XVI Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Assessment of Potential Hazards to the Unborn in the Workplace....Pages 3-6 Pharmacokinetic Modeling and the Teratologist....Pages 7-29 Placental Drug Metabolism....Pages 31-48 Genetic Differences in Drug Metabolism: Proposed Relationship to Human Birth Defects....Pages 49-62 Front Matter....Pages 63-63 Viruses as Teratogens....Pages 65-73 Hormonal Involvement in Palatal Differentiation....Pages 75-92 Membrane Lipids and Differentiation....Pages 93-111 Hormone Receptors and Malformations....Pages 113-134 Mutagens as Teratogens: A Correlative Approach....Pages 135-168 Front Matter....Pages 169-169 Behavioral Testing Procedures: A Review....Pages 171-206 Behavioral Teratology: A New Frontier in Neurobehavioral Research....Pages 207-235 Abnormal Lung Function Induced by Prenatal Insult....Pages 237-261 Postnatal Alterations of Gastrointestinal Physiology, Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, and Other Non-CNS Parameters....Pages 263-286 Front Matter....Pages 287-287 Detection of Teratogens Using Cells in Culture....Pages 289-299 Embryonic Organs in Culture....Pages 301-314 Whole Embryos in Culture....Pages 315-333 The Role of an Artificial Embryo in Detecting Potential Teratogenic Hazards....Pages 335-348 Back Matter....Pages 349-374