Early-Stage Developmental Abnormalities Induced by Murine Cytomegalovirus

The onset of the effects of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection on an early stage of embryonic development (nine days) in a mouse model was studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy. MCMV was injected into the endometrial lumina of pregnant mice at the time of implantation. The mice w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 1987-04, Vol.155 (4), p.661-666
Main Authors: Baskar, John F., Peacock, Julie, Sulik, Kathleen K., Huang, Eng-Shang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal viral diseases
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Congenital Abnormalities - etiology
Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus infections
Cytomegalovirus Infections - congenital
Cytomegalovirus Infections - embryology
Embryo implantation
Embryos
Female
Fetal Diseases - etiology
Infections
Infectious diseases
Inoculation
Medical sciences
Mice
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Morphogenesis
Neural Tube Defects - etiology
Original Articles
Pregnancy
Scanning electron microscopy
Viral diseases
Viruses
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Summary:The onset of the effects of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection on an early stage of embryonic development (nine days) in a mouse model was studied with the aid of scanning electron microscopy. MCMV was injected into the endometrial lumina of pregnant mice at the time of implantation. The mice were later killed, and sites of embryonic implantation were examined. Compared with uninfected mice and mice inoculated with heatinactivated virus, litter sizes were reduced, and the incidence of abnormal fetuses was significantly increased among MCMV-infected animals. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed maldeveloped cranial regions characterized by an unclosed neural tube and severely underdeveloped head. Ectodermal abnormalities, including poxlike formations and ballooning cells, were observed in several embryos. Thus, early cytomegalovirus infection may not only result in fetal loss, but may also interfere with the process of morphogenesis.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1093/infdis/155.4.661