S. Kadowaki et al., EMBRYOLOGIC FEATURES OF TERM FETUSES AND NEWBORNS IN CL FR MICE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CYANOSIS/, The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal, 34(3), 1997, pp. 211-217
Objective: The objective of this study was to clarify the embryologic
features of CL/Fr mice in relation to cyanosis. Method: Orofacial exam
inations were conducted on 18-day-old term fetuses and newborns, Excep
t for open eyelids in a few cases, all of the external abnormalities i
n this strain were cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). Results: The CLP inc
idence in term fetuses was 28.4%. The body and placental weights were
not different between CLP(+) and CLP(-) fetuses. Several types of CLP
were found; the most frequent was bilateral complete CLP (60%) followe
d by left complete (16%). Bilateral complete CL, which is the most sev
ere CL type, was associated with poorly developed secondary palate and
wide cleft, In newborns, 39.4% of CLP(+) mice showed cyanosis, where
no CLP(-) mice had such signs. The body weight of cyanotic mice with C
LP was significantly lighter than that of noncyanotic mice with CLP. C
yanotic mice had severe types of CLP and unelevated palatal shelves. C
onclusion: We suggest that mechanical airway obstruction may be one of
the causes of cyanosis in newborn CL/Fr mice.