William E. Koch

Murine Congenital Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Model for Studying Development of Cystic Disease

AbstractThe genetic, clinical and pathologic characteristics of murine congenital polycystic kidney disease (CPK) have been examined in mutant mice highly congenic with C57BL/6J inbred strains. This CPK defect appears to resemble closely human Infantile Polycystic Kidney Disease in its pattern of inheritance, clinical course, and appearance of the kidney in the severely affected animal. Histologic studies of early postnatal animals suggest that cystic alterations may occur first in the proximal tubules and secondarily affect the collecting ducts. The CPK mouse mutant should prove useful in further investigations into the early morphologic alterations and progression of cystic disease.

A Genetically Determined Murine Model of Infantile Polycystic Kidney Disease

We have evaluated a congenic strain of mice with congenital polycystic kidney disease in which the disease process appears to closely resemble human infantile polycystic kidney disease. Cysts formed first in the proximal tubules of the nephron and appeared, by light microscopy, to be preceded by vacuolization of the cells. These spaces, as seen by electron microscopy, occurred between adjacent cells. The pancreas was severely involved with reduction of both exocrine and endocrine elements. Cyst formation in the liver was minimal. Serum samples evaluated for urea nitrogen and creatinine were significantly elevated in affected mice. Serum glucose was within normal limits.

Fine Structure of Mouse Secondary Palate Development In Vitro

Organ cultured homotypic palatal processes were studied with an electron microscope. Stages in the formation and breakdown of the midline epithelial seam through mesenchymal fusion are proposed to aid in studies of this aspect of secondary palatal development. In vitro palatal formation is similar to that observed in vivo.

Examination of the development of chicken embryos following exposure to magnetic fields.

1. Studies of effects produced by magnetic fields on developing chickens have been reviewed. 2. Compilations of the variety of field conditions utilized, and of the consequences of the tested conditions on the embryo, are reported in tabular form for comparison. 3. The developmental consequences, if any, of the fields are also reported, as are those aspects of timing and morphogenesis deemed important in this area. 4. More recent information on biochemical changes in embryos exposed to magnetic fields is included and given weight as a growing aspect of this scientific field of study.