Abstract
Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by reducing stomach acid production. Although widely used for gastrointestinal issues, its effects on embryonic development remain underexplored. This study investigated the impact of pantoprazole on neural tube closure using a chick embryo model. Fertilised chicken eggs were divided into groups and treated with varying doses of pantoprazole. All embryos were collected on the eighth day of incubation. Both macroscopic and microscopic examinations were conducted to assess developmental abnormalities. Macroscopic analysis revealed malformations, particularly in embryos exposed to medium and high doses of pantoprazole. These groups exhibited statistically significant developmental delays compared to controls. Microscopic examination further demonstrated that high-dose pantoprazole resulted in delayed vertebral lamina ossification and midline closure defects-key indicators of neural tube defects. Overall, the study concluded that high levels of pantoprazole exposure during embryonic development can lead to structural malformations and delayed growth. Specifically, neural tube defects were identified, indicating a risk to early neural development. These findings suggest that pantoprazole use during pregnancy may pose teratogenic risks and should be approached with caution. This research highlights the need for further studies on the safety of commonly used medications like pantoprazole during pregnancy, as their use may adversely affect embryonic development, particularly neural tube formation.