Teratogenic Effects of Synthetic Compounds related to Trypan Blue: the Effect of 1,7-Diamino–8-naphthol–3,6-disulphonic Acid on Pregnancy in the Rat

Abstract

IN 1948 Gillman et al.¹ observed that the injection of the disazo dye, trypan blue, into pregnant rats produced congenital abnormalities in their offspring. Since then a number of papers dealing with the teratogenic activity of several closely related dyes and chemical compounds, in various species, have been published, and attempts have been made to correlate molecular structure with teratogenic activity. Beaudoin and Pickering² tested several synthetic disazo compounds, and it is suggested, on the basis of their results, that a naphthalene nucleus with an NH₂ group in position 1, and two HSO₃ groups, preferably in positions 3 and 6, is at least necessary for teratogenicity. This communication reports the results of an investigation of the effect of such a compound—namely, 1,7-diamino-8-naphthol-3,6-disulphonic acid on—pregnancy in the rat.