Abstract
The highly selective, enzyme-activated, irreversible inhibitor of L-ornithine decarboxylase, DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine, suppresses the increase in uterine L-ornithine decarboxylase activity associated with early embryogenesis in the mouse and arrests embryonic development at that stage. Contragestational effects were confirmed in the rat and rabbit. An increase in L-ornithine decarboxylase activity that leads to a rapid increase in putrescine concentration appears to be essential during a critical period after implantation for continued mammalian embryonal growth.
MeSH terms
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Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase / metabolism
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Animals
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Carboxy-Lyases / physiology*
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Eflornithine
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Embryo, Mammalian / drug effects
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Embryo, Mammalian / physiology*
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Female
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Gestational Age
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Mice
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Ornithine / analogs & derivatives*
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Ornithine / pharmacology
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Ornithine Decarboxylase / physiology*
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Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors
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Polyamines / metabolism
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Pregnancy
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Rabbits
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Rats
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Uterus / drug effects
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Uterus / metabolism*
Substances
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Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors
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Polyamines
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Ornithine
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Carboxy-Lyases
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Ornithine Decarboxylase
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Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase
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Eflornithine