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Background and Objective: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug that causes significant malformations such as neural tube defects (NTDs), cardiac, skeletal and craniofacial defects if it is consumed during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of folic acid on prevention of birth defect due to Carbamazepine in Balb/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Sixty Balb/c timed-pregnant mice were divided into 4 experimental and 2 control groups. Two experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) and 60 mg/kg/body weight (group II) of CBZ on gestational days (GD) 6 to 15. Two other experimental groups (group III and IV) received similar doses of CBZ with folic acid supplement (3 mg/kg/day) by gavages route for 10 days before pregnancy and 15 days after GD0 (gestational day 0). Two control groups received normal saline or Tween 20 (polysorbate 20). Dams underwent cesarean section on GD18 and embryos were collected. External examination was done and data concerning malformations, weight and crown- rump of fetuses were collected and analyzed by using SPSS-11.5 software and ANOVA and chi-square tests. Results: The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups I and II were significantly reduced. Also in both experimental groups I and II various malformations were detected such as open eyes, limb defects, scoliosis, facial deformity and NTDs. The mean weight and crown-rump of fetuses in the folic acid treated groups did not show any meaningful differences in comparison with fetuses in experimental groups I and II. Also, meaningful reductions in eye, vertebral, limb and facial defects were seen in fetuses of group III. In experimental group IV, reduction of vertebral and limb defects were observed. Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of folic acid (3 mg/kg/body weight) before and during pregnancy can reduce birth defects due to CBZ in Balb/c mice fetus.

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Background and Objective: The food additives, like sodium and potassium benzoate are used in many food products and drugs to prevent the growth of yeast and molds. There is no report about the histopathological effect of potassium benzoate. Placenta, has a critical role in embryonic development therefore this study was set up to evaluate the effects of potassium benzoate on placenta of BALB/c mice.

Materials and Methods: 45 BALB/c female mice were allocated into two experimental (1, 2) and one control groups. Experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injection of 280 and 560 mg/kg/body weight of potassium benzoate and control group received normal saline. All injections were done during 10 days before mating and 5^th to 16^th of gestational days (GD). In GD 18 all placenta were removed via cesarean section. Macroscopic studies for morphological abnormalities were done and after measuring of placental weight and diameter, for microscopic studies the specimens were fixed and tissue passage were done. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histopathological changes were studied. Weight, diameter and percentage of agenesis of placenta in all groups were gathered. Data analyzed with using
SPSS-11.5, ANOVA and Tukey tests.

Results: The mean weight and diameter of the placenta in both experimental groups 1 and 2 were significantly decreased compared to control group. Also atrophy of placenta in the experimental groups was increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Comparison of weight and diameter between groups 1 and 2 was not significant. Percentage of placenta agenesis in the experimental groups was increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Massive hemorrhage in labyrinth zone, fetal and maternal zones were seen in both experimental groups.

Conclusion: This study showed that exposure of potassium benzoate during mice pregnancy cause morphological and histopathological changes of placenta, including decrease of weight and diameter, agenesis, hemorrhage and tissue disorders.

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Background and Objective: Carbamazepine during pregnancy can induce various malformations. Recent studies have showed an increase in homocysteine level due to Carbamazepine administration. This study was to evaluate the effect of Carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 BALB/c timed-pregnant mice were allocated into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. The experimental groups were received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) or 60 mg/kg (group II) of Carbamazepine on gestational days 6 to 15. The control groups were received either - normal saline or Tween 20. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD 18. External examinations were done and all data concerning malformations, weight and crown-rump of fetuses collected. Blood samples were collected from Dams' hearts prior to performing the Cesarean section. Homocysteine was measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Tukey tests. Results: Significant increase in Homocysteine levels of dams’ serum compared to control groups was seen in both experimental groups I and II (10.56±1.31 and 11.11±1.64 µmol/L, respectively, P<0.05). The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups (P<0.05). Various malformations such as limb defects, vertebral defects, facial deformity and severe malformations were observed in fetuses of both experimental groups. Conclusion: Serum elevation of homocysteine in Carbamazepine exposed pregnant mice may be a risk factor for induction of fetal malformations.