Abstract
The relationship between allergic immune reaction in the mother and congenital malformations in the fetus was investigated. CF#1 mice were used, and virgin females were immunized subcutaneously (s.c.) with 0.1 mg of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Antigen was administered as an emulsion with saline and Freund complete adjuvant. Anaphylactic immune reaction was induced in females by either intravenous (i.v.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of BSA (0.05-0.5 mg) on day 8.5 of pregnancy. The mothers were laparotomized on day 18.5 of pregnancy and fetuses were obtained. The rate of fetal malformations in the anaphylactic shock group was 3.2% (10/317). It was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, when an excess dose of BSA (50 mg) alone was injected to the mothers (i.p.) on day 8.5 of pregnancy, a similar malformation rate (3.4%, 3/89) to that in the anaphylactic shock group was obtained. From the findings above-mentioned, it can be inferred that the allergic reaction and also introduction of large amount of heterologous protein during early pregnancy have a harmful effect upon the embryonic development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 175-186 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Congenital Anomalies |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1981 |