[Vulnerability of early postnatal differention processes of the retina and the teratogenic effect of cyclophosphamide (Endoxan)].

During the postnatal period, cyclophosphamide produces in the retina of rats and mice rosettes containing malformed photoreceptor cells arranged in half-circle formations. The rosettes form only after injections given during the first 4 days post partum and only in the receptor layer which contains desmosomes. After this period, the retina becomes resistant to rosette formation. Cytological changes occur in the form of intense nuclear invaginations and membrane whorls, which may be regarded as compensatory processes.