2-Mercaptopropionylglycine protection against growth-inhibiting effects in utero irradiated mice.

Pregnant Swiss albino mice at different fetal growth periods were exposed to 150 R gamma rays in the presence or absence of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine (MPG), a SH radioprotector. The weights of litters born to these mothers were recorded at different postpartum intervals. There was an initial weight loss at 1 week after birth followed by a second weight loss after 4 weeks in the unprotected control males, whereas females showed continuous gains in weight from initial loss at 1 week. In the MPG-treated groups, the pattern of weight changes remained the same, but the loss was significantly less than in the controls and the second weight loss in the case of males was not obvious.