[Prenatal eyelid development in the hl-mouse--a hairless mutant of the colored wild mouse].

BACKGROUND

A decisive condition for the clarification of malformations and degenerations is knowledge of the pre- and postnatal development. Therefore investigations were undertaken to determine the plan and lay-out of the eye-lids in an hairloss mutant of mouse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Biomicroscopical and histological investigations were carried out in 51 hl-mice from the 10th day of gestation unto the birth. This particular mouse is a spontaneous hairloss mutant, in which corneal degenerations also occur.

RESULTS

On the 11th day of gestation the ectodermal dips may be distinguished, as well as the shoe-lace-like furrows around the eye-ball, which indicate the development of the eyelids. The upper and lower lid are formed by proliferation. The fusion of the eyelids is completed around the 16th day of gestation.

DISCUSSION

The eyelid development starts in mice between the 11th and 14th day of gestation. The fusion is completed on day 15-17. The morphogenesis of the eyelid development will be discussed.