Sex distribution is a factor in teratogenically induced clefts and in the anti-teratogenic effect of thiamine in mice, but not in genetically determined cleft appearance.

PURPOSE: Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) shows a gender-related distribution in human beings. The reason is unknown. This study analyzed the gender-related cleft appearance with respect to teratogenically and genetically determined cleft appearance and the response to thiamine (vitamin B1) supplementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cyclophosphamide (CPA; 0.6 mg) and dexamethasone (0.25 mg) were injected intraperitoneally to A/B-Jena mice on different days of pregnancy. The abortion and malformation rate in the A/B-Jena and A/WySn mice with genetically determined clefting was documented to be gender-specific. Vitamin B1 was given to A/B-Jena dams at different times during pregnancy before, simultaneously and after the teratogenic agent was given to the pregnant mothers. A/WySn mice received oral supplementation at different times during embryonic/fetal development. RESULTS: There were significantly more living female fetuses when mothers were treated with teratogens, and the embryo lethality and malformation affected more male individuals. However, the survival and malformation rate in A/WySn mice was not gender-specific. Especially in male fetuses, vitamin B1 decreased the teratogenic cleft rate (CPA: p < 0.001, dexamethasone: p = 0.6), whereas there was no effect in the A/WySn mice. CONCLUSION: There was a strong anti-teratogenic effect of vitamin B1, especially in the male fetuses. Genetically determined cleft appearance was not positively influenced. These findings confirm observations about cleft appearance in human beings.