Effects of supplemental methionine on antiserum-induced dysmorphology in rat embryos cultured in vitro

✍ Scribed by Fawcett, Lynda B.; Pugarelli, Joan E.; Brent, Robert L.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 90 KB
• Volume: 61
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0040-3709
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1096-9926(200005)61:5<332::aid-tera4>3.0.co;2-d

✦ Synopsis

Background: Heterologous antiserum to the visceral yolk sac (AVYS) is teratogenic, inducing a spectrum of malformations in vivo and producing similar effects in vitro. Numerous studies support the concept that AVYS-induced malformations result from embryonic nutritional deficiency, without affecting the maternal nutritional status. This has provided a useful model with which to investigate the nutritional requirements of the early embryo, as well as the role of various nutrients in the etiology of congenital defects.

Methods:

In the current investigation, we examined the effects of methionine and other nutrients on AVYSinduced embryotoxicity in vitro. For these experiments, we cultured rat embryos (9.5 p.c) for 48 hr with AVYS and/or methionine at several concentration levels.

Results:

The addition of L-methionine to AVYS-exposed cultures reduced dysmorphology and open neural tube; this effect was concentration dependent. AVYSinduced dysmorphology was completely prevented at a concentration of L-methionine corresponding to 50-fold the basal serum concentration. Utilization of D-methio- nine, L-leucine, or folic acid (5-methyltetrahydrofolate, MTHF) instead of L-methionine had no protective effects.

Conclusions: These results suggest that, although AVYS limits the supply of all amino acids to the embryo, embryopathy largely results from a deficiency of methionine. Furthermore, although endocytosis and degradation of proteins by the VYS supplies most amino acids to the embryo, free amino acids may be compensatory when this source is reduced. These results support those of previous investigations that suggest methionine is required for normal NT closure and that methionine is a limiting nutrient for embryonic development.