A rat model of valproate teratogenicity from chronic oral treatment during pregnancy.

Gestational VPA treatment results in similar developmental and morphological abnormalities in three rat strains, including one with GGE, indicating that the genetic underpinnings of epilepsy do not contribute markedly to VPA-induced birth defects. This model may be used in future studies to investigate mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of antiepileptic drug-induced birth defects.