Effects of irradiation on facial development in mouse embryos

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of irradiation on the craniofacial development of NMRI mouse embryos. Two populations of pregnant mice were irradiated with a single dose of 2 Gray on day 8 of gestation for the first population (Po. 1) and on day 9 of gestation for the second population (Po. 2). On gestational days 9 to 17, embryos were submitted to histological and scanning electron microscope examinations. The two populations of embryos presented a high percentage of centro-facial hypoplasia (74.7% for Po. 1 and 75% for Po. 2) which was more pronounced in the latter one. Ocular anomalies were present in 16% of the first population. Cases of anencephaly, cleft palate and anomalies of the central nervous system were found in both populations.