Potentiation of acetazolamide induced ectrodactyly in SWV and C57BL/6J mice by cadmium sulfate.

CdSO4 and acetazolamide each induce postaxial ectrodactyly in rodents when administered at a critical time in forelimb development. C57BL/6J mice are extremely sensitive to the teratogenic action of both agents, whereas SWV mice are relatively resistant. Additionally, both of these agents can inhibit carbonic anhydrase. In the present study administration of CdSO4 and acetazolamide in combination to either strain of mice potentiates the incidence of forelimb ectrodactyly. These results, in combination with the aforementioned similarities of teratogenesis, suggest a common mechanism of teratogenesis.