الفهرس 
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Abstract
Cyclophosphamide is one of the most efficient chemotherapeutic drugs; it induces oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species. Biological compounds with antioxidant properties such as L-carnitine and folic acid can protect cells and tissues against the side effects of CP exposure by removing free radicals and prevention of oxidative damage.
The aim of the present work was to study the protective effects of L-carnitine and folic acid on cyclophosphamide treated albino rats against its possible teratogenic effects on the brain tissue and the skeleton of their embryos.
Forty adult pregnant female albino rats with average body weight ranging from 120-200 gm were divided into different groups as following:
• group I: (control group) 18 rats were further subdivided into three equal subgroups 6 animals each:
o Subgroup Ia: (negative control group) received saline.
o Subgroup Ib: (positive control group) received L- Carnitine (2.1 mg/kg/day).
o Subgroup Ic: (positive control group) received folic acid (2.4mg/kg/day).
The previous treatments were given orally by orogastric tube from 1st to 19th GD.
• group II: (experimental group) 10 rats received Cyclophosphamide (15 mg/kg) IP as a single dose on the 9th day of gestation.
• group III: (protected group) 12 rats received Cyclophosphamide concomitant with L- Carnitine or folic acid.
o Subgroup IIIa: (protected group) 6 rats received L carnitine (2.1 mg/kg/day) plus Cyclophosphamide (15 mg/kg).
o Subgroup IIIb: (protected group) 6 rats received folic acid (2.4 mg/kg/day) and Cyclophosphamide (15mg/kg).
CP was given IP as a single dose on the 9th GD, LC and FA were given orally by orogastric tube from 1st to 19th GD.
All pregnant females were anaesthetized on GD20. Embryos were separated and examined externally, their skeletons were double stained by alizarin red and alcian blue stains and examined by Olympus SZ dissecting stereo microscope and their brains were extracted and prepared for biochemical analysis and immunohistochemical studies.