["Teratologic series" and their genetics].

Abstract

Isolated cyclopia is one of the members of the prosencephalic teratologic series. In some families with cyclopian monster other types of prosencephalic malformations are found in sibs or more distant relatives. All these malformations occur more frequently in females. Different forms of prosencephalies are observed in the same type of chromosome disbalance. These data suggest that morphogenesis and etiology of the prosencephalic malformations are common. Therefore a whole teratologic series but not a single member-malformation must be an object of genetic analysis. The same data are found for another teratologic series: bilateral renal agenesis--unilateral one--aplastic variant of the cystic dysplasia of kidneys. Polygenic inheritance with the threshold phenomenon is the most probable type of genetic determination of such malformations. The more frequent occurrence of polygenic malformations in families with the studied malformation whose inheritance is not yet established may be an indirect indication for the polygenic determination of the latter.