Evaluation of the teratological potential of the new antihypertensive 5-methoxytryptamine, beta-methylcarboxylate hydrochloride (indorenate) in mice.

5-Methoxytryptamine, beta-methylcarboxylate hydrochloride (indorenate), a new antihypertensive agent, was examined for teratogenic-embryotoxic effects in the mouse at doses of 0 (control), 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/day. The compound was administered by gastric intubation on days 6-15 of gestation. On day 17, the dams were sacrificed, the number of live, dead, and resorbed fetuses recorded and mean pup weight determined. Teratological evaluation was carried out by visual inspection, alizarin red staining of the skeleton and Wilson's sections. Signs of overtoxicity in mothers were found in the high-dose groups. There were no differences between control and indorenate-treated groups in the number of implantations, live fetuses or anomalies. However, an embryotoxic effect was observed at 40 and 80 mg/kg, shown by increased resorptions and lower weight of pups at the higher dose.