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Embryonic development of tetraploid mice during the second half of gestation

MRC Mammalian Development Unit, University College London

¹ Author's address: MRC Mammalian Development Unit, Wolfson House, University College London, 4 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HE.

Received for publication 29 April 1975. Revision received 23 July 1975.

SUMMARY

A small proportion (about 17%) of experimentally produced tetraploid blastocysts are capable of postimplantation development in the randomly bred Q strain of mice. Four newborn mice, three of which were confirmed as tetraploid, were produced but all were eaten by their mother within a few hours of birth. Studies on the embryonic development of tetraploid mice reveal a variety of developmental abnormalities, especially during the later stages of gestation. At 14 and 16 days, tetraploid embryos weigh significantly less than corresponding stage diploids, especially so if litter size is taken into account. Histologically, aberrations are found in many different tissues with a clear hierarchy of susceptibility shown among the organs. For instance, yolk-sac-derived blood, and gonads, are invariably affected and the anterior end of the neural tube also seems to be particularly at risk. Possible explanations for the aberrant development are discussed and it is concluded that strictly genetic reasons can be ruled out and that physiological difficulties imposed by the increased size of tetraploid cells and/or problems produced by lack of cell numbers are instrumental in causing abnormal development. Using weight as a guide it is estimated that tetraploid embryos at 14 and 16 days gestation contain about one-quarter as many cells as similar stage diploids.

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