The use of diffusion chambers in embryotoxic research

Introduction. Currently, there are no standard methodological approaches that allow assessing the danger to human and animal reproduction of poorly soluble chemicals (industrial waste, products of destruction of organic substances, polymer materials), including substances that form complex poorly soluble systems with environmental objects. It may be impossible or ineffective to use standard routes of administration of such substances and complexes to assess their reproductive hazard. An attempt to find an experimental model for conducting toxicological and embryotoxicological studies that allow assessing the danger of prolonged interaction of poorly soluble compounds directly with tissue fluids was the main aim of the work. The study aims to investigate the possibility of using diffusion chambers to assess the reproductive hazard of poorly soluble chemicals. Material and methods. In experiments with chemicals, the researchers placed samples of dry preparations in the inner cavity of one of the rings. Experts sealed the ring on both sides with millipore membranes. The diffusion chambers obtained in this way were implanted into the abdominal cavity or under the skin in the cervical region of female rats during the most sensitive days of pregnancy to pathogenic effects. Results. When implanting diffusion chambers to animals, the possibility of assessing the embryotoxic properties of poorly soluble chemicals, such as bitumen-salt masses, polymer materials and coatings, etc., as well as soil contamination with substances potentially dangerous to the reproductive function of humans and animals is shown. With the help of diffusion chambers, experts assessed the embryotoxic activity of known dysmorphogens, cyclophosphamide, cadmium sulfate, as well as a number of polymer materials (di-paraxilylene film, acrylic acid copolymer, silloxane rubber), Scientists assessed soil contamination with a known insecticide and acaricide - endosulfan. Limitations. In the work, the experts used diffusion chambers with a volume of 400, 900 or 3000 m3. Conclusion. As a result of the experiments conducted, scientists determined that the presented method can be used to assess the reproductive hazard of poorly soluble chemicals (products of destruction of organic matter, polymer and endoprosthesis materials), when assessing the risk of prolonged presence of foreign bodies in tissues, when assessing soil contamination in places of chemical accidents, rocket crashes, storage and destruction of chemical weapons. Ethics. The study was carried out in compliance with the rules of bioethics approved by the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrates Used for Experimental and Other Purposes (Protocol No. 4 of 8.11. 2022).