Editorial [Hot Topic:Recent Advances in Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology (Executive Editor: Gian Mario Tiboni )]

This collection of papers focuses on environmental forces and their noxious influences on reproductive processes and intrauterine life. In line with previous journal initiatives [1, 2], the issue was designed to provide the reader with timely reviews illustrating novel discoveries and setting new directions in the areas of reproductive and developmental toxicology. As always in science, the presented contributions address several important issues and, in the search for the causal nature of reproductive and developmental alterations, raise many others. Cleft lip is one of the most common malformations in humans, ranging from 36 per 10,000 live births among native Americans to 3 per 10,000 among Africans. The antiepileptic agent phenytoin is the major known pharmaceutical cause of cleft lip in humans. In the first article, Webster and co-workers [3], review evidence supporting the idea that embryonic hypoxia is involved in the induction of cleft lip by phenytoin. Thalidomide tragedy in the 1950s and early 1960s, raised the compelling necessity for specific testing strategies to evaluate drugs and environmental chemicals for teratogenicity. In its article, Collins [4] provides an historical perspective describing the major scientific milestones in the complex development of guidelines for animal studies and interpretations for safety assessment. The review authored by Flick and Klug [5], concentrates on whole embryo culture system. Besides illustrating important methodological aspects and recent developments of the system, the authors summarize the growing literature supporting whole embryo culture as useful tool in assessing the embryotoxic potential of chemicals for regulatory purposes. Aneuploidy is a pathological condition in which a cell or an individual has a chromosome number different from an exact multiple of the haploid karyotype of its species. Aneuploidy accounts for a significant proportion of spontaneous abortions and congenital malformation syndromes, and is a significant contributor to cancer. The article of Pacchierotti and Ranaldi [6] focuses its attention on the possible role of environmental factors, including endocrine disruptors, in the initiation of aneuploidy in mammalian germ cells. Diethylstilbestrol is a synthetic estrogen that was widely prescribed to pregnant women to prevent miscarriage and other pregnancy complications between 1938 and 1971. In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol has been causally linked to clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina, breast cancer, and reproductive anomalies. In the paper by Yamashita [7] the current understanding on the molecular basis of diethylstilbestrol-induced uterus anomalies is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to the persistent or temporal changes in the expression of estrogen-regulated genes, especially protooncogenes and growth factors. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a pattern of congenital anomalies caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Abel [8] offers an up-to date discussion on the fundamental issues and challenges surrounding the syndrome. In the final article, the teratogenic effects of lithium are reviewed by Giles and Bannigan [9]. The work also covers the recent findings suggesting that teratogenic effects of lithium are mediated by perturbations of phosphatidyl inositol cycle and Wnt/GSK-3 pathway. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the contributors for their effort to prepare the series of review, and to the staff at Bentham Publisher for the excellent editorial support. References [1] Recent advances in developmental toxicology. Curr Pharm Design 2001; 7(9): 759-880. [2] Recent advances in developmental and reproductive toxicology. Curr Pharm Design 2004 10(22): 2657-2767. [3] Webster WS, Howe A, Abela D, Oakes DA. The relationship between cleft lip, maxillary hypoplasia hypoxia and phenytoin. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1431-1448. [4] Collins TFX. History and evolution of reproductive and developmental toxicology guidelines. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1449-1465. [5] Flick B and Klug S. Whole embryo culture: An important tool in developmental toxicology today. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1467-1488. [6] Pacchierotti F and Ranaldi R. Mechanisms and risk of chemically induced aneuploidy in mammalian germ cells. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1489-1504. [7] Yamashita S. Expression of estrogen-regulated genes during development in the mouse uterus exposed to diethylstilbestrol neonatally. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1505-1520. [8] Abel EL. Fetal alcohol syndrome: a cautionary note. Curr Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1521-1529. [9] Giles JJ and Bannigam JG. Teratogenic and developmental effects of lithium. Curr. Pharm Design 2006; 12(12): 1531-1541.