Histological observations on epidermal development in fetal mice subject to intrauterine growth retardation due to maternal infections with Coxsackievirus B3.
Infection of mice with Coxsackievirus B3 on the 8th day of pregnancy resulted in fetal growth retardation. A histological examination of interscapular back skin of infected fetuses revealed an immature pattern of differentiation at 18 days gestation with the epidermis being appreciably thinner than normal, but equivalent to that of a 15-day fetus. The pattern of keratinization as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy, and the deposition of epidermal phospholipid were normal in these retarded fetuses but less well developed. Retarded keratinization in the infected fetuses was related to abnormal amniotic fluid compositions due to reduced maternal health resulting from virus-induced pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D000818:Animals; D003384:Coxsackievirus Infections; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000473:pathology*; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D010743:Phospholipids; D007633:Keratins