Abstract: Objective： To explore the protective effect of oyster extract on apoptotic cells in neural tube defect(NTD) induced by hyperthermia. Methods： Thirty-six pregnant golden hamsters were divided into 4 groups at random: a control group subjected only to hyperthermia and oyster Ⅰ,　Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups, with oyster extract. The nuclear fast redgentian violet staining method was used to observe the histological and the quantitative alteration of apoptosis cells during the development of the neural tube in each embryo. An immunohistochemistry method and image analysis were employed to explore the expression of Caspase-3 in the neuroepithelial and mesenchyme cells of each embryo. Results： ① At 8 and 16 hours after hyperthermia, compared with the control groups, the apoptosis index of neuroepithelial and mesenchymal cells in the oyster-treated groups decreased　(P<0.05, P<0.01);　②　At 8 and 16 hours after hyperthermia, the expression of Caspase-3 in the neuroepithelial cells was weaker in the oyster-treated than in the control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Oyster extract has a possible protective effect on the apoptosis cells of neuroepithelia and mesenchyme in NTD induced by hyperthermia.

Key words: Hyperthemia, Oyster, Hamster, Apoptosis