TERATOGENESIS (see also 2,1 7,1 8,2 1 ,36,37,38,8 1 ) 



Textbooks 



31. 



M.E.SUCHESTON and M.S.CANNON. 1973. CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS, case 



studies in developmental anatomy 



Davis, Philadelphia. X,271 pp., 62 figs., 6 tabs., subject index. $ 8.25 (paper) 



This book was written to be used as a supplement in basic and advanced courses of 

 anatomy. Its purpose is to present case studies of congenital defects selected so as to 

 demonstrate, among other things, basic developmental concepts. There are 32 such case 

 studies, each consisting of a short history of the case, sections on diagnosis and treatment, 

 and a general discussion covering normal and abnormal embryonic development, etiology, 

 associated malformations, and often other matter such as classification and possibilities of 

 repair. The case studies are arranged in sections as follows: Metabolic and genetic 

 disturbances and early embryonic differentiation (5), Head and neck (5), Thorax (5), 

 Abdomen (5), Pelvis (7), and Back, body wall, and limbs (5). Each section has a list of 

 references for further reading. 



The case studies are preceded by a short chapter on general principles of teratology 

 and teratogenesis. The sections on differentiation, determination and induction in this 

 chapter are rather unsatisfactory. The sections on embryology in the case studies 

 themselves are well illustrated and on the whole clearly written, although those on 

 cleavage, implantation, gastrulation and neurulation contain some mistakes and the 

 wording is occasionally unfortunate. A useful concise timetable of normal human devel- 

 opment is provided. 



32. 



J.G.WILSON. 1973. ENVIRONMENT AND BIRTH DEFECTS 



Academic Press, New York, etc. Environmental Sciences, an Interdisciplinary Monograph 

 Series. XIV,305 pp., 61 figs., 27 tabs., author and subject indexes. $ 19.00, £ 9.50 



Contents: 1. Is the unborn at risk in the environment?; 2. Principles of teratology; 

 3. Causes of developmental abnormality; 4. Mechanisms of teratogenesis; 5. Manifesta- 

 tions of abnormal development; 6. Access of environmental factors to developing 

 tissues', 7. Normal development and susceptible periods; 8. The assessment of tera- 

 tologic risk; 9. Collection and interpretation of results; 10. Suggested protocols for 

 embryotoxicity testing 



This book by one of the world's leading experimental teratologists was originally 

 planned for use by scientific administrators, but has grown into a general introduction. 

 Although it is a concise book it covers all the major theoretical and practical aspects of 

 the subject. Thanks to its lucid style and clear organization it is eminently suited for 

 advanced students and for those about to enter the field. But it will also be read with 

 profit by many active teratologists and mammalian embryologists. 



Most of the chapter headings speak for themselves. Ch.2 provides the theoretical 

 background in exemplary fashion. Ch.3 discusses the known and suspected causes of 

 abnormal development in animals and man separately. Ch.4 is a lucid survey of what is 

 known (and not known) about the earliest identifiable events in abnormal development. 

 Ch.8 discusses, among other things, the advantages and disadvantages of specific mammals 

 in teratogenicity testing. Ch.9 is mainly methodological in nature, and ch.10 finally 

 presents a new concept based on "multilevel" animal tests for embryotoxicity. 



Appendix 1(15 pp.) gives selected references on the embryology and reproduction of 

 twelve laboratory mammals. Appendix II briefly highlights key events in early embryo- 

 genesis of the rat, while appendix III is an atlas of 15 clearly labelled photographs of 

 freehand sections of the normal 20-day rat fetus. 



The coverage of the literature had to be selective, but the reader is referred to books 

 and reviews wherever possible. Still the bibliography covers 40 pages; although the 

 emphasis is on English literature, there are many titles in French and several in other 

 languages. The book is well produced and illustrated. 



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