Interference with neural crest migration by maternal hyperthermia as a cause of embryonic death due to heart failure.
Maternal hyperthermia has been demonstrated to be a teratogen in every animal species studied, and a minimum core temperature rise of 2.5 degrees C can produce a number of developmental defects. However, numerous embryos fail to survive to term. In the guinea-pig, heating the embryos prior to neural tube closure induces significant neural tube defects, but all embryos die within 20 days of heating. A number have aberrant cardiac development and many show spectacular pericardial effusions and congestion in the peripheral circulation. We suggest that maternal hyperthermia has interfered with neural crest migration which is a major component in the induction of these changes.
Upfold
J B
JB
School of Anatomy, UNSW, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
Smith
M S
MS
Edwards
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology*; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications*; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008954:Models, Biological; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy