Reproductive toxicology is one of the most complicated areas of toxicology research due to the involvement of multiple organs and tissues, different modes of toxicant action and dependence on the endocrine system. In particular, endocrine disrupters represent a significant challenge for experimental toxicology because of their complex effects on signal networks and programming. A variety of in vivo and in vitro developmental and reproductive toxicology (DART) tests are used to predict the safety of new compounds during drug development, and the results provide the basis for internal decision-making.

At Creative Bioarray, our DART capabilities include pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines, gene-therapy products, chemicals, and consumer products. Services cover the whole scope of developmental and reproductive toxicology from embryo fetal, postnatal and juvenile stages to the second generation, testing for the potential effects on fertility.

Male and/or Female Fertility

  • Fertility and early embryonic development to implantation
  • Rat dosed via the clinical route
  • Three doses and a control
  • Dose males 4 weeks prior to mating, females 2 weeks
  • Assess maternal toxicity, development and maturation of gametes, estrous cycles, mating, fertility, and effect on implantation

Embryo Fetal Development

  • Rat and rabbit dosed via the clinical route
  • Three doses and a control
  • Dose during organogenesis (gestation days 6-18)
  • Assess ovarian CLs, implantation sites, resorption, dead fetuses, gross fetal malformations and development variations

Prenatal and Postnatal Development

  • Female rat dosed via the clinical route
  • Three doses and a control
  • Dose from gestation day 6 to lactation day 20
  • Assess maternal toxicity, pregnancy duration, parturition, lactation, implantation, embryo/fetal changes, stillbirths, growth development, behavior and reproductive changes

One-Generation Reproduction

  • Rat of parental generation (F0) dosed via the clinical route
  • Three doses and a control
  • Dose males 10 weeks prior to mating, females 2 weeks
  • Dose both sexes during mating
  • Dose females during pregnancy and for the duration of the nursing period
  • Assess behavioral changes, food consumption, weight, the number and sex of pups, stillbirths, live births, gross anomalies, pathological changes of reproductive organs