Vitamin B-complex application promotes secondary palate development in a palate organ model of the A/WySnJ mouse

This study analyzed the direct influence of vitamin B-complex supplements (Polybion N, Merck Pharma GmbH, Germany) in medium on secondary palatal development in palatal organ cultures of A/WySnJ mice. Because of positive clinical experiences with prophylactic vitamin B substitution in mothers of cleft-related families, the direct influence of the vitamin B-complex on palatal tissue was analyzed.

The inbred A/WySnJ mouse strain shows a highly spontaneous, genetically determined clefting rate of 20% to 44%. One hundred seventy-seven A/WySnJ fetuses were microdissected on gestational day 14.3 before the occurrence of palatal fusion. Palatal organ cultures were prepared and incubated in chemically defined serum-free medium with different concentrations (0.1% and 1.0%) of the vitamin B-complex Polybion N for 72 hours. Palatal development was analyzed microscopically according to the 6-step visual scale that describes the approximation of palatal shelves during development.

At the beginning of the experiment (gestational day 14.3), the palatal development of all specimens used for in vitro organ culture showed a clear approach of the palatal shelves at stage II (2.25±0.78). Seventy-two hours after in vitro cultivation, the palatal shelves of the organ cultures supplemented with the vitamin B-complex showed significant growth (0.1%, P=.00017; 1.0%, P=.00078), whereas the untreated control group remained at initial developmental stage II (P=.291).

The results of this in vitro study suggest a significant positive influence of vitamin B supplementation on palatal shelf development in organ culture. Further studies will focus on the vitamin B concentration in the amniotic fluid of dams with or without cleft in their offspring.