New Method for the Rapid Determination of Lathyrogenic Agents

Abstract

Salamander and toad embryos will develop grossly observable tumors of the notochord if they are placed for 3 or more days in a solution of the lathyrism-producing chemicals beta-aminopropionitrile or aminoacetonitrile. A technique for using tumorigenesis in amphibian embryos as a biological indicator for other lathyrogenic agents is presented.