Abnormal Embryogenesis: Cellular and Molecular Aspects

✍ Scribed by Patricia A. Martin-Deleon, Evelyn L. Shaver (auth.), T. V. N. Persaud (eds.)

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Year: 1979
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 248
• Series: Advances in the Study of Birth Defects 3
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The study of birth defects has assumed an importance even greater now than in the past because mortality rates attributed to congenital anomalies have declined far less than those for other causes of death, such as infectious and nutritional diseases. It is estimated that as many as 50% of all pregnancies terminate as miscarriages. In the majority of cases this is the result of faulty development. Major congenital malformations are found in at least 2% of all liveborn infants, and 22% of all stillbirths and infant deaths are associated with severe congenital anomalies. Teratological studies of an experimental nature are neither ethical nor justifiable in humans. Numerous investigations have been carried out in laboratory animals and other experimental models in order to improve our understanding of abnormal intrauterine development. In less than two decades the field of experimental teratology has advanced phenomenally. As a result of the wide range of information that is now accumulating, it has become possible to obtain an insight into the causes, mechanisms, and prevention of birth defects. However, considerable work will be needed before these problems can be resolved. The comributions in this volume include some of the more recent and exciting observations on the cellular and molecular aspects of developmental defects. It is not only a documentation of the latest experimental work, but it also indicates new and important areas for future research.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-ix
Ageing of spermatozoa and its effect on karyological abnormalities of resulting conceptuses....Pages 1-13
The influence of teratogens on mouse embryo chromosome structure....Pages 15-27
Interference with steps in collagen synthesis as a biochemical mechanism of teratogenesis....Pages 29-49
Biochemical and ultrastructural aspects of [ 14 C]glucosamine utilization by normal and alkaloid treated preimplantation mouse blastocysts....Pages 51-70
Effects of cytochalasin B on preimplantation and early postimplantation mouse embryos in vitro ....Pages 71-94
Pathogenesis of cyclophosphamide-induced fetal anomalies....Pages 95-117
The effect of retinoic acid on the developing hamster heart — an ultrastructural and morphological study....Pages 119-134
Physiological cell death in normal and abnormal rodent limb development....Pages 135-142
Palate morphogenesis: role of contractile proteins and neurotransmitters....Pages 143-159
Alterations in macromolecular synthesis related to abnormal palatal development....Pages 161-176
In vitro studies of virus-induced disorders of prenatal growth and development....Pages 177-192
Impaired adaptation to extrauterine life: a teratogenic event....Pages 193-218
Vital fluorochroming as a tool for embryonic cell death research....Pages 219-241
Back Matter....Pages 243-246

✦ Subjects

Animal Anatomy / Morphology / Histology