Developmental Teratogeny Test

Developmental teratogeny testing identifies substances that disrupt embryonic development, potentially causing congenital abnormalities. Essential for evaluating the teratogenic risks of chemicals and pollutants, these tests provide insights into their developmental impact on aquatic species. At BioVenic, specialized services are offered to support thorough environmental risk assessments, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards while safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and public health.

Introduction to Developmental Teratogeny

Developmental teratogeny testing utilizes embryos from aquatic species, including zebrafish, to evaluate the potential of chemicals to disrupt normal development. This approach provides a cost-effective and ethical alternative to traditional mammalian models, offering efficiency in identifying teratogenic risks. Widely used in chemical safety evaluation, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance, it aligns with the 3Rs principles by significantly reducing animal usage while delivering high-quality, reliable data. Recent advancements in automation and standardized protocols have further expanded its applications, making it a crucial tool in developmental toxicology and environmental safety assessments.

Fig. 1 The characteristic phenotypes associated with zebrafish developmental toxicity and teratogenicity. (He, J. H., et al., 2014)

Applications of Developmental Teratogeny

Developmental teratogeny testing provides critical insights into the effects of various substances on embryonic development, ensuring safety and advancing research.

• Drug Safety Evaluation: Developmental teratogeny tests assess the teratogenic effects of pharmaceuticals, ensuring their safety for use in women of childbearing potential.
• Chemical Safety Assessment: The evaluation of developmental toxicity for industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, and consumer products is essential for ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate hazard classification.
• Environmental Health Studies: Developmental teratogeny testing investigates the impact of environmental toxins, such as endocrine disruptors and heavy metals, on embryonic development and reproductive health.
• Mechanistic Toxicology Research: Insights into the molecular and cellular pathways disrupted by toxic exposures advance the understanding of developmental abnormalities and birth defects.

Our Services

BioVenic has extensive experience in conducting Developmental Teratogenicity Tests (DTT) on aquatic animals. Comprehensive DTT services are available through our company, utilizing various fish species like zebrafish to evaluate the potential teratogenic effects of chemicals on the early stages of development. By identifying compounds that may cause developmental abnormalities, our testing protocols ensure better safety assessments in environmental and pharmaceutical research.

Workflow of Our Service

Embryo Incubation

Incubate zebrafish embryos with five different concentrations of the test substance, spaced by a constant factor of 2, from 0 to 96 hours post-fertilization (hpf).

Automated Imaging

After incubation, embryos undergo automated imaging for the assessment of teratogenicity.

Development Monitoring

The embryos are closely observed for developmental changes, noting any major morphological alterations or toxic effects. Important observations include the transition from egg to embryo and early signs of coagulation in affected samples.

Phenotype Evaluation

Evaluate the teratogenic effects using a validated panel of phenotypic markers to identify morphological abnormalities and toxic effects.

Teratogenicity & Mortality Assessment

Monitor and record the relationship between mortality rates and teratogenicity to assess the severity of developmental defects.

Teratogenic Index Calculation

Calculate the teratogenic potency (teratogenic index) based on the observed mortality and teratogenic effects across different concentrations.

Why Choose Us?

At BioVenic, expert developmental teratogenicity testing services are offered to evaluate the impact of chemicals on the development of aquatic species. These reliable and cost-effective solutions ensure scientifically advanced and ethical assessments. For accurate and timely results that support your research needs, please contact us.

Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.

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