Brain development in hydrocephalic-polydactyl, a recessive pleiotropic mutant in the mouse

Animals homozygous for the recessive, pleiotropic, mutation hpy (hydrocephalic-polydactyl) progressively lag behind their wild-type litter-mates in increase in body weight and brain dry weight over the period from 1-40 days post-partum; many homozygotes die within the first 14 days after birth. Light microscope observations of serial sections of brains revealed a mild to severe dilation of the entire ventricular system and damaged ependyma. Ciliated ependymal cells appeared reduced in number and destruction of ependymal cells over wide areas of the ventricular surfaces was observed. Preliminary scanning electron microscope studies confirmed the light microscope observations and revealed large numbers of erythrocytes and phagocytes associated with the ependymal surface. Neither the histological studies nor experiments involving intracerebral injections of tracer dyes demonstrated obstruction or stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvius. Individual neurons appeared to be present in normal numbers and to be developing normally and at the same rate as in wild-type animals.