The contribution of the adriamycin-induced rat model of the VATER association to our understanding of congenital abnormalities and their embryogenesis

The adriamycin-induced rat model of the VATER association has provided a me ans of studying the morphogenesis of a variety of major congenital structur al abnormalities similar to those seen in humans with the VATER association . Most interest has been centered on the foregut, where the model has clari fied some aspects of the development of esophageal atresia (EA), tracheal a genesis, and other communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations. It has demonstrated aberrations in the nerve supply to the esophagus in EA an d allowed the study of tracheomalacia. A relationship between an abnormal n otochord, foregut abnormalities, and vertebral defects has been shown, and the model has reignited interest in the role of the notochord as a regional organizer of axial development. The normal temporospatial characteristics of apoptosis during fore- and hindgut development is disturbed in this mode l, resulting in abnormal morphology. The indications are that this model wi ll continue to clarify the processes that lead to many of the structural co ngenital abnormalities that are seen in infants born with the VATER associa tion.