Electron microscopic and quantitative studies of cell necrosis in developing sensory ganglia in normal and Sprawling mutant mice

Abstract

The percentage of neurons undergoing necrosis during foetal and early post-natal development in normal and Sprawling (Swl) mutant mice was determined. Two major peaks in the occurrence of necrosis were found at the 13th and 19th foetal days in both groups of mice but at all stages the incidence was greater inSwl. In addition, unlike the normal, cell necrosis persisted after birth inSwl. Electron microscopically the first degenerative changes seemed to involve the perikaryon while many of the cells undergoing necrosis inSwl already showed the characteristic abnormalities previously described in that mutant.