Influence of protein malnutrition on teratogenicity of acetylsalicylic acid in rats.

The effect of protein malnutrition (PM) on the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of aspirin in rats has been studied. Protein malnourishment was produced from Days 7 to 21 of gestation by limiting the casein content of the diet to 5% in comparison to 20% for the normal animals. Six dose levels of aspirin (50-175 mg kg-1) were administered p.o. from Days 8 to 11 of pregnancy. Aspirin from 75 mg kg-1 d-1 induced growth retardation, embryolethality and teratogenicity, as shown by external, skeletal and visceral malformations. All these effects were potentiated by protein malnutrition.