ANOMALIES INDUCED BY LOSARTAN, IN DEVELOPING MOUSE

Abstract

The present study was carried out to observe developmental defects induced in mice (Musmusculus) by losartan, an antihypertensive drug. Losartan was administered orally in four doses including 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 μg/gBW. It was administered on 8th day of gestation. Distilled water was used in control group. The fetuses were recovered on 18th day of gestation to observe morphological and histological changes. The morphological observations of fetuses showed anomalies like open eye lid, distorted body axis, kyphosis, skin hemorrhage, drooping wrist, microphthalmia, low set arm, kinky tail, exencephaly anophthalmia, maxillary macrognathia, microcephaly, clubbed foot and microtia. Morphometric observations showed that with increase in losartan concentrations there was reduction in body weight, brain circumference, eye circumference, limb size, tail length and crown rump length. Abnormalities found in histology were enlargement of 3rd and 4th ventricle, cleft palate, ventricular septal defect, cleft palate and dysplasia of kidney. It was concluded that losartan was toxic to developing fetus.