Effects of hypervitaminosis A on developing muse embryos, with special regard to malformations and chromosomes

Abstract

Effects of hypervitaminosis A on developing mouse embryos in three inbred strains were studied with special attention to malformations and chromosomal changes. Pregnant female** were treated with vitamin A (15,000 I. U.) on the 9th day of gestation. Various anomalies were produced in treated mice with varying frequencies. Cleft palate and micromelia were most common among them. The type and frequency of other malformations seem to show a strain difference. Some dd embryos examined for chromosomal changes 24 and 48 hours following treatment showed chromatid breaks or gaps with a rather low frequency.