Ethionine-Induced Resorption of the Rat Conceptus.

Abstract

A marked increase in resorption of embryos and placentae was observed following administration of high doses of ethionine to pregnant rats, but similar doses of methionine had no apparent effect. A combination of methionine with ethionine resulted in about a 50% reduction in the resorptive effect of ethionine. The tissues of the placenta and embryo were destroyed in a definite sequential pattern with no apparent localized effect on the embryo.