Carbamazepine-Induced Cardiovascular Abnormalities in Chick Embryos

ABSTRACT  Carbamazepine dissolved in propylene glycol was administered to chick embryos in order to determine its teratogenicity in the cardiovascular system. A single dose of 3, 5, 7, or 10 mg was administered at 72 hours of incubation (Hamburger-Hamilton stage 18). On day 10 of incubation, embryos were removed and examined for cardiovascular abnormalities. Cardiovascular abnormalities were noted in 37.8%, 54.8%, 76.9%, and 88.0% of live embryos in groups treated with 3, 5, 7, and 10 mg, respectively. Our experiment represented a statistically significant increase of cardiovascular abnormalities and showed a significant dose-dependent increase. Infundibular ventricular septa1 defect was the primary cardiac anomaly observed in this study. A high percentage of this anomaly was accompanied by hypoplastic right 6th aortic arch artery and/or persistent left 4th aortic arch artery. A small number of double outlet right ventricle was found.