Histochemical study of morphogenesis and teratogenesis of the palate in mouse embryos

Aggregation of acid mucopolysaccharides in normal palates and cleft palates in mouse embryos was studied by various histochemical methods. An “index of staining intensity” was introduced as a mean numerical value derived from the visual grading of all sections of each litter. Animals were killed at 20 different points of gestation period, from thirteenth to seventeenth day. In this manner a composite staining intensity — time table could be obtained for both experimental groups. The observed data seem to indicate some correlation between the concentration of acid mucopolysaccharides in palatine shelves and the competence of embryonic mechanism of palate closure.