Retinae of Anencephalic Fetuses: Quantitative Analysis and Comparison with Fetuses Without any Malformations

Abstract

Anencephaly is a common congenital malformation characterised by absence of a major portion of the brain. The sequence of brain degeneration starts around 20 days post fertilization which overlaps with the appearance of optic grooves from the forebrain. A number of ocular malformations associated with anencephaly have been reported. Based on the assumption that eyes, which are derived from the brain, are likely to be abnormal since the organ of origin undergoes degeneration, studies have been carried out on anencephalic retinae. Some of the results have indicated that retinae of anencephalic fetuses are abnormal with absence or diminished presence of ganglion cell layer compared to the fetuses without such a brain malformation. We undertook the present study with an aim to objectively and quantitatively evaluate retinal thickness and numbers of ganglion cell in anencephalic fetuses and fetuses without any malformations. Six anencephalic and six fetuses without malformations were included, all of them from 18 to 21 weeks of gestation. Histopathological evaluation of retinae was done and findings compared. We did not find any atrophy or reduced number of ganglion layer cells in anencephalic fetuses. This evaluation assumes importance since retinae from anencephalic fetuses can be a potential source for retinal tissue or stem cell transplant. Moreover, the contention that normal brain development is essential for retinal development appears to be invalid.

Keywords

Retina - Anencephaly - Retinal tissue transplant

Publication History

Received: 30 July 2020

Accepted: 12 January 2021

Article published online:
05 May 2023