Teratological research using in vitro systems. I. Mammalian whole embryo culture.

Approximately 390 literature references (through spring 1986) were reviewed for mammalian whole embryo culture procedures, with particular attention to the development of those cultures as systems for teratogenicity testing. The existing procedures could be conveniently divided into three groups, which are defined by the periods of embryogenesis that they embrace: preimplantation, peri-implantation, and post-implantation culture systems. The literature on peri-implantation embryo culture was sparse, and it did not appear that this procedure is being actively developed as a teratogen screening test. The extensive literature on both preimplantation and postimplantation embryo culture suggested considerable use of these two methods in evaluating embryotoxicants. The following discussion was compiled from information gleaned from all references. However, in the interest of brevity, only representative articles are specifically cited. Because the background and methodology for each system are distinct, each system will be discussed separately.