Chemical, physical, or biological agent that, when administered to a parent either prior to conception or before birth of the child, induces permanent structural malformations or birth defects in the offspring.
Notes: - Teratogens may act at vulnerable points in the development of gametes in parents or of organ development in the embryo and fetus.
- Their modes of action include mimicry of morphogens (thus interference with morphogenesis), modulation of genes and gene expression, and direct alterations in protein function.
Source:
PAC, 2016, 88, 713. 'Glossary of terms used in developmental and reproductive toxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2016)' on page 811 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-1202)