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DevToxBackground: Berlin DevTox workshops

Since 1995, seven Workshops on the Terminology in Developmental Toxicology have been held in Berlin:

The first Workshop, in 1995, discussed the uses and misuses of the IFTS glossary, which is presented in the publication of the first report.

Wise et al., (1997) Terminology of developmental abnormalities in common laboratory mammals (version 1). Teratology 55: 249–292
PubMed abstract

The second Workshop, in 1998, discussed the advantages of using a classification system for fetal observations and established working definitions for two classification categories which were "malformation" and "variation".

Chahoud et al., (1999) Classification terms in developmental toxicology: need for harmonisation. Report of the Second Workshop on the Terminology in Developmental Toxicology. Berlin, 27-28 August 1998. Reprod Toxicol 13: 77–82
PubMed abstract
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The third Workshop, in 2000, discussed the categorization of the skeletal observations listed in the glossary produced by the IFTS, using the classification system agreed at the second Berlin Workshop.

Solecki R et al., (2001) Harmonisation of rat fetal skeletal terminology and classification. Report of the Third Workshop on the Terminology in Developmental Toxicology. Berlin, 14–16 September 2000. Reprod Toxicol 15: 713–721
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The fourth Workshop, in 2002, discussed the categorization of external and soft tissue anomalies listed in the glossary produced by the IFTS, using the classification system agreed at the second Berlin Workshop.

Solecki R et al., (2003) Harmonization of rat fetal external and visceral terminology and classification. Report of the Fourth Workshop on the Terminology in Developmental Toxicology, Berlin, 18–20 April 2002. Reprod Toxicol 17: 625-637
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The discussion on the fifth Workshop, held in 2005, was concentrated on the ETS proposal for Terminology in Developmental Toxicology.

The sixth Workshop, in 2007, discussed the severity grading of external, visceral and skeletal anomalies.

Paumgartten F et al., (2009) Harmonization of terminology in developmental toxicology: the quest for a more precise description and a harmonized classification of fetal observations. Reprod Toxicol 27: 8–13
PubMed abstract
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The seventh Workshop, in 2011, focused on administrative aspects for use of harmonized terminology in reproductive toxicology, Version 2 terminology glossary turned out possible for routine species as well non-routinely used species. Practicality of the new terminology for maternal–fetal observations was shown. Fate of anomalies after birth was found important for assessment and reclassification of “grey zone” anomalies.

It was agreed that Version 2 terminology is applicable to most fetal observations in non-routinely used species, including non-human primates, dogs, guinea pigs, and birds (Japanese quail). To account for some fetal observations specific to non-human primates, an appendix listing additional descriptive terms will be prepared and published on the DevTox Web site.

Continuation of this series of Workshops on Developmental toxicology, if possible on a regular basis, was strongly recommended by participants of the 7th Workshop. Guidance on grouping of fetal observations for reporting study results and statistical analysis was suggested as a topic to be addressed in a further meeting. Since the Workshop was intended only to discuss postnatal fate of skeletal observations, it is suggested that the next Workshop should refer to visceral findings demonstrated to resolve postnatally.

Solecki R et al., (2013) Harmonization of description and classification of fetal observations: Achievements and still standing problems. Report of the 7th Workshop on the Terminology in Developmental Toxicology Berlin, 4–6 May 2011 Reprod Toxicol 35: 48–55
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Presentations

The eighth Workshop, in 2014, focused on the continuing harmonization of terminology and innovations for methodologies used in the assessment of embryo- and fetotoxic findings. The following main topics were discussed: harmonized categorization of external, skeletal, visceral and materno-fetal findings into malformations, variations and grey zone anomalies, aspects of developmental anomalies in humans and laboratory animals, and innovations for new methodologies in developmental toxicology. The application of Version2 terminology in the DevTox database was considered as a useful improvement in the categorization of developmental anomalies. Participants concluded that initiation of a project for comparative assessments of developmental anomalies in humans and laboratory animals could support regulatory risk assessment and university-based training. Improvement of new methodological approaches for alternatives to animal testing should be triggered for a better understanding of developmental outcomes.

Solecki R et al., (2015) Continuing harmonization of terminology and innovations for methodologies in developmental toxicology: Report of the 8th Berlin Workshop on Developmental Toxicity, 14–16 May 2014 Reprod Toxicol 57: 140–146
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The nineth Workshop has taken place as a satellite event to the 46th Annual Meeting of the European Teratology Society 13 – 14 September 2018. The programme is available here. The results are currently prepared for publication.

Presentations

The tenth Workshop will take place on 19 – 20 February 2020. The programme is available here.

The IFTS terminology of fetal abnormalities, which forms the basis of the whole project, has recently been updated.

Makris, S.L.; Solomon, H.M.; Clark, R.; Shiota, K.; Barbellion, S.; Buschmann, J.; Ema, M.; Fujiwara, M.; Grote, K.; Hazelden, K.P.; Hew, K.W.; Horimoto, M.; Ooshima, Y.; Parkinson, M. and Wise, L.D.: Terminology of developmental abnormalities in common laboratory mammals (Version 2). Reproductive Toxicology 28 (2009): 371-434
PubMed abstract
Science Direct article

If you are interested to participate on the next Workshop, please contact us under DevTox@bfr.bund.de.