06-P001 Teratogenic effects of Adriamycin chemotherapeutic in the placenta and fetuses of Wistar rats

The Doxorubicin hydrochloride, popularly known as Adriamycin, is among the most antitumoral drugs used in oncology practice. This is a glycosidic antibiotic from the anthracycline group, which acts directly on the G2/M period, leading to cell death. This study aimed at analyzing placental alteration and congenital malformations in Wistar rats fetuses who were exposed to the chemotherapeutic. Twelve Wistar rats were divided into two groups: Control (n = 6) and Treated (n = 6) and were exposed to Adriamycin on the 8th and 9th days of pregnancy. Both morphological and morphometric analyses in the placenta were performed, the fetuses were weighed, measured and macroscopically assessed for the presence of congenital malformations, which, once occurring were photographed. The results indicate intense thickness of the spongy zone (p < 0.05), disarrangement of the labyrinth with blood extravasation from the fetal vessels, besides the presence of infiltrated leukocytic. Fetuses weight and length in the treated group were lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). The congenital malformations such as edema, ear low implantation, twisted tail, short tail, dysmorphic eyes, occurred in 23 (82%) out of the 28 embryos in the Adriamycin group, against 14 (19%) out of 72 embryos in the control group Thus, we can infer that Adriamycin increases the incidence of congenital malformations, mainly those related to the bone tissue. In addition, it provokes embryo reabsorption in some cases, impairs the process of maternal-fetal exchange in the placenta and contributes to the restriction of intrauterine growth.