Teratology studies in the minipig.

The minipig is a suitable species for regulatory teratology testing and may be regarded as an alternative to the rabbit, dog, and primate. The first successful regulatory teratology studies in the minipig were performed in the 1990s. It became clear that minipigs have several benefits over the other non-rodents, as they are purpose-bred for laboratory use, they are sexually mature at approximately 5 months of age, and they produce multiple offspring.

Use of barusiban in a novel study design for evaluation of tocolytic agents in pregnant and neonatal monkeys, including behavioural and immunological endpoints.

The oxytocin receptor antagonist barusiban, currently being developed for treatment of preterm labour, was investigated in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys with a 9-month postnatal follow-up of their offspring. The nature of barusiban, its indication, and the potential exposure of pre- and postnatal infants entailed the design of a unique protocol to investigate all aspects of maternal and offspring well-being. Barusiban was administered to the mothers from gestation day 85 until delivery with daily subcutaneous dosages up to 2.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES): carcinogenic potential in Xpa-/-, Xpa-/- / p53+/-, and wild-type mice during 9 months' dietary exposure.

DES carcinogenicity has been investigated in 2 mouse knockout models, the Xpa homozygous knockout, and the combined Xpa homozygous and p53 heterozygous knockout. Wild-type (WT) mice were also included. Xpa mice received diets containing DES at concentrations of 0, 100, 300, and 1500 ppb for 39 weeks; Xpa/p53 and WT mice received diets containing 0 or 1500 ppb.

Evaluation of the maternal and neonatal effects of the oxytocin antagonist, atosiban, in a cross-fostering study in rats.

The purpose of this cross-fostering study was to investigate neonatal survival following exposure of pregnant rats to atosiban (1-deamino-2-D-Tyr(OEt)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin), an oxytocin antagonist. Atosiban was administered subcutaneously from days 15 to 20 of gestation at 300 mg/kg/day, and controls received vehicle alone. Parturition was observed at 30 min intervals throughout the period that births were occurring.