Analysis of an Anomalous Oculodentofacial Pattern in Newborn Rats Produced by Maternal Hypervitaminosis A

Effect of Hypervitaminosis a on the Fetus of Several Species of Rodents, With Special Reference to Malformation of the Extremities

“…

Since a teratogenic effect of excess viamin A on the rat fetus was first reported by Cohlan in 1953, many investigators have confirmed and expanded his results (Giroud and Martinet 1955, 1956, 1958 Woollam 1957, 1963;Baba and Araki 1959;Deuschle et al 1959;Kalter 1960;Kalter and Warkany 1961;Woollam and Millen 1961;Murakami et al 1963Murakami et al , 1965Takekoshi 1964;Ohzu and Shoji 1965). They have described the occurrence of various types of anomalies such as gross malformations which are associated with the central nervous system, a certain combination of defects called the anomalous oculodentofacial pattern by Deuschle et al (1959), cleft palate, micromelia and other malformations of the limb, digital anomalies, anal atresia, and malformations of vertebrae and ribs as well as some visceral changes mainly in rodents.

Parallel experiments by the same investigator using more than two species of laboratory animals however, are few except for a brief report by Giroud and Martinet (1958).

…”

“…They have described the occurrence of various types of anomalies such as gross malformations which are associated with the central nervous system, a certain combination of defects called the anomalous oculodentofacial pattern by Deuschle et al (1959), cleft palate, micromelia and other malformations of the limb, digital anomalies, anal atresia, and malformations of vertebrae and ribs as well as some visceral changes mainly in rodents.Parallel experiments by the same investigator using more than two species of laboratory animals however, are few except for a brief report by Giroud and Martinet (1958). It is difficult to discuss difference in teratogenic action of hypervitaminosis A among species on the basis of the results previously published by different investigators, because of differences in the strain of animals, time and route of administration and the form and dosage of vitamin A as well as in the object of observation in each study.…”

“…They have described the occurrence of various types of anomalies such as gross malformations which are associated with the central nervous system, a certain combination of defects called the anomalous oculodentofacial pattern by Deuschle et al (1959), cleft palate, micromelia and other malformations of the limb, digital anomalies, anal atresia, and malformations of vertebrae and ribs as well as some visceral changes mainly in rodents.…”

Tooth Germ Anomalies Associated with Micrognathia in Mouse Fetuses Caused by Maternal Hypervitaminosis A

“…Among hypervitaminosis-A induced malformations in mice and rats, one of the unique features is a severe micrognathia which is characterized by a defect of the posterior portion of mandibles and a fusion of the remaining mandibular body with the deformed maxillae. Morphologkal studies of this malformation were reported by many teratologists (Deuschle et al, 1959;Kalter, 1960;Kalter and Warkany, 1961;Ihara et al, 1966;Kameyama, 1966), but they did not mention in detail the tooth development in the malformed fetuses. Teratogenic effects of retinoids on facial morphogenesis were reported to be caused by a disturbance of the migration of cranial neural crest cells (Poswillo, 1975;Morris and Thorogood, 1978;Thorogood et al, 1982).…”