Congenital anomalies and spontaneous abortion in mice resulting from the use of escitalopram
Camila Salvador Sestario A B , Viviane de Fátima Mestre A B , Caio Cezar Nantes Martins B , Aline Campos Zeffa A , Márjori Frítola A B and Maria José Sparça Salles
B *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Av. Robert Koch, 60, CEP: 86038-350 Londrina, Brasil.
B Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, Km 380, CEP: 86057-970 Londrina, Brasil.
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 34(17) 1099-1106 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD22033
Published online: 12 October 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing
Abstract
Context: Escitalopram (ESC) use during pregnancy has not been associated with teratogenic effects in fetuses.
Aims: To investigate whether ESC administered during pregnancy in mice induces maternal toxicity and teratogenicity in offspring.
Methods: Treated mice groups G1 and control G0 (n = 15 per group). Administration of ESC (G1) and saline solution (G0) during pregnancy and euthanasia on the 18th day. Pregnant female mice were treated with ESC (20 mg/kg, via gavage) or saline solution (control group) from the 5th to the 17th day of gestation, when implantation was consolidated. During intraembryonic development until the day before delivery, the drug had an influence on the development of alterations from its maintenance in the uterine environment and its development to the disturbance causing skeletal or visceral malformations.
Key results: The intrauterine development parameters that were altered by ESC treatment were: number of resorptions (G0: [0.93 ± 0.24]); G1: [3.33 ± 0.51]), post-implantation loss (G0: [3.95 ± 1.34], G1: [13.75 ± 3.62]) and reduced fetal viability: [97.30 ± 1.00]; G1: [81.09 ± 6.22]). Regarding fetal formation, the treated group had visceral malformations with a significant frequency: cleft palate (G0: [1.0%], G1: [11.86%]) and reduced kidneys (G0: [0%]; G1: [10.17%]). Regarding skeletal malformations, a higher frequency was observed in the following parameters: incomplete supraoccipital ossification (G0: [0%], G1: [15.25]), absence of ribs (G0: [0%], G1 (G0: [0%], G1 [15.25%]) and absence of one or more of the foot phalanges (G0: [1.0%]; 64%]).
Conclusion: Results indicate that ESC is an embryotoxic and teratogenic drug.
Implications: Until further studies are performed, greater caution is necessary in prescribing the drug to pregnant women.
Keywords: antidepressants, intrauterine, malformations, mice, offspring, resorption, teratogenesis, teratology.
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