[Teratogenic action of alpha-chymotrypsin inhibitor of Ascaris lumbricoides in mice].

During investigations of biological activity of proteolysis inhibitors from Ascaris lumbricoides, teratogenic action of alfa-chymotrypsin inhibitor (ICH) was evaluated. The inhibitor was obtained by a method of Roli and Pudles and was applied parenterally at 8-12 day of pregnancy to BALB/c mice in doses of 20-80 mg/kg of mice per 24 hours. Control groups received respectively 1 cm3 of 0.9% NaCl or 80 mg of bovine albumin. Normal status of development of internal organs in 19-days old fetuses was evaluated by a method of Wilson and Dyban and of their skeletons according to Dawson. It was found that character and exacerbation of prenatal disturbances of mice development is conditioned by the ICH dose. Teratogenic action of ICH was apparent in fetuses after application to mice of 60 and 80 mg. Most frequent developmental defects were: cleft palate, brain hernia, fusion of ribs and curvature of spine. No defects were noted in control groups. Lower doses of ICH exhibited only embryotoxic effect.