Why Retinoic Acid Is A Teratogen

M3D3 : Why Retinoic Acid Is A Teratogen
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Why Retinoic Acid Is A Teratogen
Retinoic acid is derived from vitamin A, and it is necessary for the growth of cells, differentiation and the organogenesis process in the body (Soprano D and Soprano K, 1995). Retinoic acid is one of the nutrients needed by the body to stay healthy. Retinoic acid helps regulate the cellular separation of epithelial tissue; however, excess of retinoic acid affects the embryo development resulting to teratogenesis. Retinoic acid is produced due to the reaction of two different sets of dehydrogenases enzymes. Similarly, during the initial discovery, vitamin A was also identified as teratogen. A teratogen is referred to as agents that include virus, a drug or radiation.
Both teratogen and retinoic acid cause defects of the embryo, capable of causing birth defects (Soprano D and Soprano K, 1995). Teratogen is also capable of halting pregnancy. Studies have shown that e...