Resumen de All-trans-retinoic acid-induced disturbance of forelimb digital apeptosis in mouse embryos: A preliminary scanning electron microscope (SEM) tudy
Elpida Niki Emmanouil Nikoloussi, M. Goret-Nicaise, C. Kerameos Foroglou, J.A. Thliveris
Retinoids have been widely discussed in recent years as being able to induce a spectrum of malformations that include limb defects and digit malformations, where perturbation of cell death regulation is an important teratogenic mechanism. The present study assesses the effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin) on forelimb digit development in mouse embryos. Pregnant Balb/c mice received retinoic acid by gastric intubation as follows: Group 1 (n = 5) at 100 mg/kg on gestational days 11 and 12; Group 2 (n = 5) at 50 mg/kg on gestational days 10, 11 and 12. Control animals, Group 3 and 4 (n = 5/group) were treated on gestational days 10, 11 and 12 with corn oil vehicle (Group 3) or were non treated (Group 4) respectively. The mice were euthanized on gestational day 18. Embryos exposed to retinoic acid (R.A.) develop micromelia and oligodactyly in combination with brachydactyly and syndactyly. Apoptosis was incomplete between the digits, and atypical lateral ectodermal ridges were found. The observations were most striking in the embryos of Group 2 treated for three days. No abnormalities were noted in the embryos of either control group.
