Embryotoxic effects of heterologous antisera against rat Reichert's membrane.

Parietal yolk-sacs of rat embryos at the fifteenth day of gestation were obtained by microdissection. A Reichert's membrane (RM) preparation was isolated by treating the parietal yolk-sacs with the chelating agent tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) combined with mechanical shaking. Less than 1% of the membrane preparation was DNA and phosphorus contaminants. The membrane purity was also evaluated by electrom microscopic examination. Rabbit Ig G directed against the RM preparation when injected ip into ninth day pregnant rats produced malformations, fetal growth retardation and resorption. Fluorescent-labeled antibody localization studies demonstrated that the teratogenic antibodies localized in RM. It is postulated that RM antibodies induce teratogenesis by interfering with the function of RM.