Teratogenicity of Vitamin B 6 Deficiency: Omphalocele, Skeletal and Neural Defects, and Splenic Hypoplasia

Abstract

Vitamin B₆ deficiency was induced in pregnant rats with a deficient diet and with 4-deoxypyridoxine, a B₆ antagonist. Treated animals developed typical skin changes of B₆ deficiency. Fetuses were small and appeared anemic. Major fetal malformations were omphalocele, exencephaly, cleft palate, micrognathia, digital defects, and splenic hypoplasia. This teratologic system was developed as a model for human syndromes that exhibit combined immunologic and neurologic or skeletal defects.