ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To study the developmental defect of the enteric nervous system in trisomy 16 mice, an animal model for Down syndrome, and reveal the possibility of trisomy 16 mice with congenital megacolon. METHODS: We performed trisomy 16 mouse breeding, cytogenetic analysis of trisomy 16 mouse embryos and their normal litteermates from embryo day 13-18 (ED13-ED18), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) immunohistochemistry in section and whole mount preparations. RESULTS: Developmental delay of ENS was present in trisomy 16 mouse embryos by comparison with their normal littermates. No submucosal plexus was found in gut except 5 mm aganglionic bowel aparting from anus in trisomy 16 mice. The developed mesentery nervous fibers were shown as well as the innervated gut of trisomy 16 mouse embryos and their normal littermates. CONCLUSION: Trisomy 16 mice occur with congenital megacolon, and trisomy 16 mice may be also regard as an animal model for Hirschsprung's disease.
