Teratology

Study findings from China Medical University, Department of Pediatric Surgery broaden understanding of life sciences

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"In this study we investigate whether there is a deficiency in the development of sensory neurons that innervate the levator ani muscle in rats with ARM. ARM was induced by ethylenethiourea (ETU) in fetal rats. Retrograde tracer fluorogold (FG) was injected into the levator ani muscle. Serial transverse sections encompassing the entire length of the lumbosacral spinal cord were examined. The number of FG-labeled sensory neurons was scored and compared between fetuses with ARM and normal fetuses. The number of FG-labeled sensory neurons innervating the levator ani muscle in normal control fetuses, ETU-fed fetuses with no malformation, low type of imperforate anus, high type of imperforate anus, and high type of imperforate anus combined with neural tube defects were determined to be (mean ±SEM) 11,804 ±2362, 10,429 ±1708, 2886 ±705, 1026 ±425, and 964 ±445, respectively. FG-labeled sensory neurons in fetuses with imperforate anus with or without neural tube defects were significantly fewer than in control and ETU-fed fetuses without malformation (p <0.05). Defective sensory neurons innervating the levator ani muscle is a primary anomaly that coexists with the alimentary tract anomaly in ARM during fetal development," wrote K. Guan and colleagues, China Medical University, Department of Pediatric Surgery.

The researchers concluded: "Nerve innervation deficiency of the pelvic muscles contributes to the poor postoperative anorectal functions in ARM patients."

Guan and colleagues published their study in Birth Defects Research Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology (Defective development of sensory neurons innervating the levator ani muscle in fetal rats with anorectal malformation. Birth Defects Research Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology, 2009;85(7):583-7).

For additional information, contact K. Guan, Shengjing Hospital, Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.

The publisher of the journal Birth Defects Research Part A, Clinical and Molecular Teratology can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.

Keywords: People's Republic of China, Shenyang, Life Sciences, Pediatric Surgery, Gastroenterology, Anorectal.

This article was prepared by Gastroenterology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Gastroenterology Week via NewsRx.com.