The absence of one kidney associated with hereditary abnormalities in the descendants of x-rayed mice.

Abstract

Adult male and female mice were irradiated with comparatively light doses of unfiltered x-rays. They were mated and a few of their offspring in the second and third generations showed marked deformities of the eye. The eye abnormality was extensively inbred and after several generations all the individuals of many litters have shown the deformity in one or both eyes. Genetic tests have shown that the eye abnormality behaves as a Mendelian recessive. 1

Club feet have been prominently associated with the eye defect. One or more limbs may be affected.

The young from such defective lines were killed in utero, and it was found that the structural defects of the eye were associated with arrests in development due apparently to a tendency to blood vascular extravasation in the region of the eye. In a few instances lesions were noted in the region of the foot, suggesting that a similar blood vascular disturbance and arrest in development may have brought about the club foot condition.

During the last few months the defective lines have become well established, and it has been possible to perform many autopsies on adult animals showing eye and foot defects.

Three hundred autopsies have been recorded and 50 animals (16 2/3 per cent) have shown practically complete absence of one kidney. In two instances very small remnants of renal tissue have been detected, which were not more than 1 mm. in diameter. Histological examination reveals apparently normal adult kidney tissue. One animal was blind in one eye and the other had apparently normal eyes.