Protein-energy malnutrition increases teratogenicity of hypervitaminosis A in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the embryo-fetotoxicity of vitamin A in protein-energy malnourished animals. Retinyl palmitate (66, 99 and 132 mg/kg) suspended in corn oil was given by gavage to well-nourished and malnourished rats from gestational days 8 to 10 and cesarean sections were performed on day 20. All fetuses were weighed and examined for malformations before being prepared for skeletal evaluation. The proportion of malformed fetuses was higher in the malnourished group at each one of the three dose levels. The data indicate that malnourished animals are more susceptible to the toxic effects of retinyl esters.