Study of Reproductive Toxicity of the Liposomal Photosensitizer Lipophthalocyan

Objective Study of embryotoxicity, teratogenicity and reproductive toxicity of the new drug Lipophtalocyan in rats. Material and Methods Studies were conducted on 210 non-inbred female rats and 105 non-inbred male rats. The drug was administered daily via i. v. injection for 48 days (males) and for 15 days (females) in 2 total doses corresponding to the therapeutic dose (TD) for mice when converted to rats and 10 TD. Results and Conclusion When mating with intact female rats, no changes in sexual behavior were observed, but the index of the ability to fertilize and conceive decreased when compared to the values of the control group by 35–40% (TD index=60%) and by 75–80% (10 TD index=20%). The index of the ability to fertilize and conceive differed from the values of the control group by 90% (TD index=5%) and by 15% (10 TD index=80%). There were no differences in the indicator of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity in intact and drug-treated female rats, compared with the control group. Lipophtalocyan has a negative effect on the male and female reproductive function in rats and has an embryotoxic effect according to the index of the ability to fertilize and conceive, as well as the indices of preimplantation and post-implantation fetal death. The drug does not have a teratogenic effect, neither it affects the physical development of offspring or the rate of maturation of sensory-motor reflexes during feeding.

The antibiotic therapy in pregnancy

A number of drugs can cross the placenta, having a teratogenic and embryotoxic effect on the fetus. For more than half of the drugs currently used, we do not have appropriate studies in order to reveal their effects on the mother or fetus. However, 45-95% of pregnant women are taking medications during pregnancy, 7% of them are continuing a treatment for a disease diagnosed before pregnancy. 17% of pregnant women receive antibiotics. Antibiotic prophylaxis has created a dangerous “false security”, to circumvent then the aseptic and antiseptic traditional gestures. In obstetrics, antibiotic therapy should take into account the particular field of the host and the existence of the first development stages of the fetus until the end of pregnancy. Antibiotic therapy has an undeniable and important contribution in modern obstetrics, but their prophylactic administration does not cover technical, aseptic and antiseptic errors, producing also an antibiotic resistance. The use of antibiotic therapy is required in cases with higher risk: long labor, ruptured membranes, obstetrical maneuvers, dragged patients or with underlying conditions.