The Teratogenic Effects of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) on the Development of Chick Embryos

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity and teratogenic effects of MSG in chick embryo development. Methods: Various concentrations of MSG solution, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2.5 mg and 3 mg of MSG/gm egg weight were injected into the fertilized hen’s egg at 21 hrs of incubation and further incubated until day 3, 6 and 10. The day 3 and day 6 were processed for serial section, while the day 3 was processed for total mount and day 10 were observed totally. Results: The effects of MSG were growth retardation, embryonic death and congenital malformations of several organs such as brain (rachischisis and anencephaly), eye (microphthalmia and anophthalmia), ectopiacordis, ectopia viscera, opening of posterior neuropore (spinal bifida) and under development of heart and viscerae. Conclusion: MSG produced congenital deformities and growth retardation in chick embryos which may predict to cause the same results to human embryos. Pregnant women should be advised not to consume MSG to avoid potential harmful effects to the unborn child