Co-trimoxazole-induced reproductive toxicity and placental-barrier disruption: impact on cell-cell junctions and ERK signaling pathway (opens in new tab)

Co-trimoxazole (CTX), a combination of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ) and trimethoprim (TMP), is used during pregnancies complicated by infections like Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), despite potential fetal safety concerns. This study examines CTX’s effects on the placenta using both in vivo and in vitro models. Pregnant mice received CTX for 4 days during both early and late gestation. On gestational day 19, tissues were collected for analysis. Furthermore, in...