Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1981-2-24
pubmed:abstractText
The effect of excess vitamin A on the closure of the neural tube in mouse embryos was examined with light microscopy, transmission and scanning electronmicroscopy. The embryos were treated with the vitamin just before closure of the brain vesicles and examined during the following 24 h, a period during which under normal conditions the brain completely closes. At 18--24 h after treatment the external features of the treated specimens began to differ from those of the controls. In the treated embryos the neural walls folded laterally and became widely separated, whereas those of the controls folded dorsomedially and fused in the midline. Histologically, the first difference between treated and control embryos was noted at two hours after treatment, when large intercellular spaces appeared between the neuroepithelial cells of the treated embryos. These spaces were mainly present between the apical ends of the wedge-shaped neuroepithelial cells. This accumulation of intercellular spaces interfered with the normal morphogenetic movement of the neural walls which remained convex instead of becoming concave. This convex bending resulted in non-closure of the neural tube. In addition to the appearance of large intercellular spaces some neuroepithelial cells as well as some mesenchymal, endothelial, and surface ectoderm cells showed swelling and degeneration as a result of the vitamin A treatment. This cell degeneration probably contributes to failure of the neural tube to close due to loss of cohesion at the luminal surface and the lack of mesenchymal support needed for the elevation of the neural walls. However, the increase of intercellular spaces at the apical side of the neuroepithelium is in all probability the major cause for the failure of the neural tube to close.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0340-2061
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
159
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
223-34
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1980
pubmed:articleTitle
The influence of excess vitamin A on neural tube closure in the mouse embryo.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article