title: The incidence of congenital malformations and variations in Göttingen minipigs.
abstract: Knowledge of the incidence of spontaneous congenital abnormalities is critical for the accurate interpretation of findings in teratogenicity studies in any species. In this paper, results of the examination of 1739 neonatal Göttingen Minipigs are presented. Over the 2-year period under consideration, the incidence of external and visceral malformations was less than 0.2 and 0.1%, respectively. The most common external malformations were syndactyly, limb hyperflexion, domed head and scoliosis. The most common internal malformations were undescended testes, ventricular septal defect, diaphragmatic hernia and atrial septal defects. Pentadactyly and variation in the aortic arch's bifurcation (absent truncus bicaroticus) were the most common variations. These data will help support the use of the Göttingen Minipig as a non-rodent species in embryofetal development studies where concerns persist about the availability of background data.
authors.affiliation: CiToxLAB Scantox A/S, Hestehavevej 36A, Ejby DK-4623, Lille Skensved, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellemann-Laursen
authors.affiliation: WIL Research, A Charles River Company-Lyon, 329 Impasse du Domaine Rozier, 69210 Saint Germain-Nuelles, France. Electronic address: Edward.marsden@wilresearch.com.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marsden
authors.affiliation: WIL Research, A Charles River Company, Hambakenwetering 7, 5231 DD's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.affiliation: Sequani Limited, Bromyard Road, HR8 1LH Ledbury, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.affiliation: Envigo, Woolley Road, Alconbury, PE28 4HS Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coulby
authors.affiliation: Ellegaard Göttingen Minipigs A/S, Sorø Landevej 302, DK-4261 Dalmose, Denmark.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Grossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D013552:Swine / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013556:Swine, Miniature / Q000002:abnormalities*; D018675:Toxicity Tests / Q000592:standards
keywords: Background data; Congenital abnormalities; Göttingen minipig