Summary
The paper discusses some practical methods which may assist studies investigating the possible teratogenic effect of imperfect potatoes (if any). References are made to the possible changes in its nutrient components, and also to the solanidine steroidal properties which may have effects similar to the sex hormones.
Changes in the fetal development due to maternal hormone inbalance, either of endogenous origin or induced by hormone therapy are shown through illustrative examples.
Zusammenfassung
Es werden einige praktikable Methoden diskutiert, die dazu dienen könnten, den möglichen teratogenen Effekt fehlerhafter Kartoffeln festzustellen. Es werden mögliche Veränderungen des Nährstoffanteils und auch die Steroideigenschaft des Solanidins, das ähnliche Wirkung wie Sexualhormone haben könnte, erörtert.
Möglichkeiten einer Störung der fetalen Entwicklung infolge mütterlichen hormonellen Ungleichgewichts, entweder endogen bedingt oder infolge Hormontherapie, werden beispiel-half aufgezeigt.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Berry, W. C. J.: Committee on medical aspects of food policy report. Personal communication, 1971.
British Medical Journal; Leading article. Diet and congenital malformations, 4, 684 (1972).
Briggs, M., Briggs, M.: Vitamin-C requirements and oral contraception. Nature (Lond.) 238, 277 (1972).
Carr, D.: Conception after oral contraception. Centennial Prog. Dalhouse Univ. Halifax, 1968.
Carter, C. O.: Diet and congenital malformations. Brit. med. J. 1973 I, 290.
Crombie, D. L., Pinsent, R. J. F. H., Slater, B. C., Fleming, D., Cross, K. W.: Teratogenic drugs, R. C. G. P. Survey, Brit. med. J. 1970 4, 178–179.
Csapo, A.: The mechanism of myometrial function and its disorders. Mod. Trends in Obstet. and Gynec. 55 (1963).
Dhadial, R. K., Machin, A. M., Tait, S. M.: Chromosomal abnormality in spontaneously aborted human fetuses. Lancet 1970 II, 20–21.
Emanuel, I., Sever, L. E., Milham, S., Thuline, H. O.: Accelerated ageing in young mothers of children with Down syndromes. Lancet 1972 II, 361–363.
Frazer, F. C.: Symposium of II. Int. Conf. on Congenital Malformations, p. 113. London: Churchill 1960.
Gal, I.: Preliminary report of a survey on spina-bifida and hydrocephalus. Develop med. Child. Neurol., Suppl. 15, 86 (1968).
Gal, I.: Risks and benefits of the use of hormonal pregnancy tests. Nature (Lond.) 240, 242 (1972a).
Gal, I.: Hormonal inbalance and human reproduction. Advances in teratology, Vol. 5, Chap. 7, p. 161. London: Lagos Press 1972b.
Gal, I., Kirman, B., Stern, I.: Hormonal pregnancy test and congenital malformations. Nature (Lond.) 216, 83 (1967).
Gal, I., Parkinson, C., Craft, I.: The effects of oral contraceptives on human serum vitamin-A levels. Brit. med. J. 1971 2, 436–437.
Grant, E. C. G., Pryse-Davies, J.: Effects of oral contraceptives on depressive mood changes and on endometrial monoamine oxidase and phosphatase. Brit. med. J. 1968 3, 777–780.
Gull, D. D., Isenburg, F. M.: Chlorophyl and solanine content and distribution in 4 varieties of potato tubers. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hortic. Sec. 75, 545 (1960).
Herbst, A. I., Ulfender, H., Poskanzer, M. I.: Adenocarcinoma of the vagina. New Engl. J. Med. 284, 818–819 (1971).
Household Food Consumption and Expenditure, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and food Report, U. K. 1968.
Ingalls, T. H.: Maternal health and mongolism. Lancet 1972 II, 213–214.
Kalter, H.: Int. Conf. on Congenital Malformations. 1970 International Congress Series. Amsterdam (No. 204).
Millen, F. W., Wollam, O. H. M.: Effect of vitamin-B complex on the teratogenic activity of hypervitaminons-A. Nature (Lond.) 182, 940–941 (1958).
Poswillo, D., Sopher, D., Mitchell, S.: Experimental induction of foetal malformation with “blighted” potato. Nature (Lond.) 232, 462 (1972).
Poland, B.: Spontaneous abortion after different types of contraception. Annual Meeting of Soc. of Obstet. and Gynec. Canada, 1968.
Renwick, J. H.: Hypothesis; anencephaly and spina bifida are usually preventable by avoidance of a specific unidentified substance found in certain potato tubers. Brit. J. prev. soc. Med. 26, 67 (1972a).
Renwick, J. H.: Potato babies. Lancet 1972b II, 336.
Selwyn-Crawford, J. P.: Pre-pregnancy oral contraceptives and respiratory distress syndrome. Lancet 1973 I, 858–859.
Schreiber, M.: The alkaloids, Vol. 10. New York: Academic Press 1968.
Streif, R. R.: Folate deficiency and oral contraceptives. J. Amer. med. Ass. 214, 105 (1970).
Warkany, F.: Congenital malformations, Vol. 1. New York: Academic Press 1971.
Wong, Y. K., Wood, B. S. B.: Breast milk jaundice and oral contraceptives. Brit med. J. 1971 4, 403–404.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gal, I. Possible mechanisms of human teratogenesis by imperfect potato. Hum Genet 19, 311–314 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00278408
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00278408