Biomaterial Database

The effect of triamcinolone on the development of the bursa of Fabricius in chick embryos. 1980

C J Fisher, and R H Sawyer

Triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), a long-acting synthetic glucocorticoid, markedly reduces survival rates in chick embryos when injected in small (10--100 ng) single-injection doses on days 5 or 9 of incubation. In addition to its embryotoxic effect, TAC causes such gross malformations as gastroschisis, reduced body weight, encephalocele, micrognathia, curled toes, and club feathers. These effects of TAC are more severe in 5-day-old chick embryos than in 9-day-old ones. A comparison with cortisol (hydrocortisone), a structurally similar, naturally occurring steroid, indicates that TAC is approximately 600 times more toxic in chick embryos than cortisol. TAC also inhibits differentiation of the bursa of Fabricius: single injections on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of 10--20 ng on day 5 or 9 reduced size and weight of this lymphoid organ. Histological examination showed a sharp reduction in the size and number of bursal follicles, a reduction in the number of lymphocytes within these follicles, and a degeneration of the epithelium covering bursal plicae.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009929	Organ Size	The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness.	Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D001835	Body Weight	The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms.	Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002060	Bursa of Fabricius	An epithelial outgrowth of the cloaca in birds similar to the thymus in mammals. It atrophies within 6 months after birth and remains as a fibrous remnant in adult birds. It is composed of lymphoid tissue and prior to involution, is the site of B-lymphocyte maturation.	Fabricius Bursa
D002642	Chick Embryo	The developmental entity of a fertilized chicken egg (ZYGOTE). The developmental process begins about 24 h before the egg is laid at the BLASTODISC, a small whitish spot on the surface of the EGG YOLK. After 21 days of incubation, the embryo is fully developed before hatching.	Embryo, Chick,Chick Embryos,Embryos, Chick
D006854	Hydrocortisone	The main glucocorticoid secreted by the ADRENAL CORTEX. Its synthetic counterpart is used, either as an injection or topically, in the treatment of inflammation, allergy, collagen diseases, asthma, adrenocortical deficiency, shock, and some neoplastic conditions.	Cortef,Cortisol,Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11beta)-,11-Epicortisol,Cortifair,Cortril,Epicortisol,Hydrocortisone, (11 alpha)-Isomer,Hydrocortisone, (9 beta,10 alpha,11 alpha)-Isomer,11 Epicortisol
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014221	Triamcinolone	A glucocorticoid given, as the free alcohol or in esterified form, orally, intramuscularly, by local injection, by inhalation, or applied topically in the management of various disorders in which corticosteroids are indicated. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p739)	Aristocort,Volon