Effects of Maternal Hyperthermia on the Developing Guinea‐pig Eye

Abstract

Maternal hyperthermia of short duration had significant short and long term effects on the developing guinea-pig eye at embryonic days 19, 21 and 23. A marked regionalisation of the heat-induced effects was observed in the developing retinae, but the lens defects were most obvious following heat at E21 and E23. Bilateral anterior pole cataracts, bipolar zonular cataracts and microphthalmia have been produced following maternal heat stress. It is suggested that these are determined by the cellular events initiated in the developing eye following the teratogenic insult.

Review: Hyperthermia and fever during pregnancy

“…In guinea pigs, maternal hyperthermia at ED 13–14 (13–14 days after mating) caused NTDs, microphthalmia (Upfold et al,1992), and skeletal defects (Cawdell‐Smith et al,1992). Exposure between ED 16 and ED 25 caused skeletal defects, microphthalmia, strabismus, coloboma, central blindness (associated with optic nerve hypoplasia), cataract, deafness (Edwards,1967,1969a; Upfold et al,1992; Smith et al,1996), renal agenesis, hypoplasia of teeth and toes, deafness, hypotonia, hypertonia, dull, unresponsive and failing to bond with the mother, seizures, abnormal writhing movements of the limbs and body, talipes (Edwards,1967,1969a,1971b,1981), and micrencephaly (Edwards,1967,1969a,1969b,1981; Jonson et al,1976; Hutchinson and Bowler,1984; Upfold et al,1989). Toward the end of major neurogenesis and at the onset of glial cell proliferation (ED 39–45) hyperthermia caused micrencephaly associated with learning and behavioral abnormalities (Edwards,1969b; Lyle et al,1973,1977) and arthrogryposis (Edwards,1971a).…”