Background: impairment of retinoic acid (RA) results in different
malformations during embryonic development. Citral can interfere with the
embryogenesis due to its direct inhibitory effect on RA. Purpose: is to evaluate the
effect of different concentrations of citral on the skeletal elements of the developing
chick embryo. Methods: Fertilized eggs of the chick Gallus domesticus were divided
into control and experimental groups which received either three different
concentrations of citral (50 μM, 100 μM and 200 μM). Results: treatment with citral
caused several cases of scoliosis, absence of ossification in the skeletal system,
deformed parrot beak, short and wry necks. Alizarin transparencies detected
curvatures of the vertebral column at the cervical region. Conclusion: It is
suggested that citral treatment in the present work caused inhibition of RA which
might disrupt the expression of some genes, such as BMPs, Fgf8, Msx1 and Msx2
resulting in induction of morphological malformations. Citral induced
morphological malformation in a concentration dependent manner. Cosmetics,
food stuffs, detergents, flavoring agents and scenting agents that contain retinoic
acid or citral are not recommended for ladies during the first trimester of
pregnancy.