Intrauterine growth retardation and neurodevelopmental handicaps are common among infants born to HIV-positive mothers and may be due to the actions of virions and/or maternally derived viral products. The viral envelope protein, gp120, is toxic to neurons, induces neuronal dystrophy, and retards behavioral development in neonatal rats. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, a neuropeptide regulator of early postimplantation embryonic growth, and the neuroprotective protein, activity-dependent neurotrophic factor, prevent gp120-induced neurotoxicity. Whole embryo culture of gestational day 9.5 mouse embryos was used to assess the effect of gp120 on growth. Embryos treated with gp120 exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of growth. gp120-treated embryos (10(-8) M) grew 1.2 somites in the 6-h incubation period, compared with 3.9 somites by control embryos. Embryos treated with gp120 were significantly smaller in cross-sectional area and had significantly less DNA and protein than controls. Growth inhibition induced by gp120 was prevented by cotreatment with vasoactive intestinal peptide or activity-dependent neurotrophic factor. gp120 may play a role in the growth retardation and developmental delays experienced by infants born to HIV-positive mothers. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and related factors may provide a therapeutic strategy in preventing developmental deficits.