Effects of salicylamide and protein restriction on the skeletal development of the rat fetus.

Salicylamide has previously been shown to be teratogenic to the rat. Aims of the present study were to examine separate effects and interactions of salicylamide administration and protein restriction on development of the rat fetus. In experiments using Holtzman rats,the percentage of fetal resorptions was significantly increased by drug treatment and by protein restriction. Malformations were seen in fetuses from dams given the drug from the fifth to eleventh days of gestation; the inicdence of these malformations being independent of the diet. Factors affecting appearance of ossification centers included drug dosage, placental and fetal weight and litter size. Protein restriction had no significant effect on the development of centers of ossification. It is concluded that salicylamide, as well as protein restriction, produces adverse effects on pregnancy outcome in the rat.