Epithelial Keratinization as Evidence of Fetal Vitamin A Deficiency.

Abstract

Keratinizing metaplasia in epithelia of the genito-urinary tract was observed in fetal rats taken from mothers fed a vit. A deficient diet. Only structures derived from the fetal urogenital sinus were affected. The earliest metaplastic changes were seen in a fetus of 18 days gestational age; by the 20th day keratinization was seen in the dorsal wall of all organs distal to the termination of the genital ducts.