[Teratogenic properties of freshly isolated strains of rubella virus in experiments on animals].

Teratogenic properties of rubella virus circulating in the Soviet Union were studied in animal experiments. After inoculation of the virus to white rats on the 5th day of pregnancy, an increased number of resorptions, a decrease in the number and weight of the embryos were observed. In some rats hydramnion was observed. The newborn rats of the infected mothers showed a higher lethality and some delay in weight gain as compared to the control animals, as well as hydrocephaly and microcephaly (2.2%). Persistence of rubella virus hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody in many infected rats and their progeny was established. The results indicate that the national s-rains of rubella virus affect the course of pregnancy and development of progeny in white rats.