Abstract
Recent studies in fetal rabbits led to the hypothesis that organ systems may mature at different rates among littermates, and raised the question of which organs were couples in maturation, and presumably responsive to the same regulators. The number of epiphyscal centers and body weight were closely correlated and could vary 100% between littermates. Lung distensibility and stability (lung age) was predicted by gestational age better than by body weight. (Kotas, Avery, Pediat. 47: 1971). “Skin age” was assessed by histologic criteria in 70 rabbits from 14 litters delivered between 22 days gestation and term (30 days). Significant morphologic changes were evident from 24 to 30 days. “Skin age” was remarkably constant between littermates regardless of their weight, and in this sense it resembled lung age. In rabbits, at least, the skin is a predictor of maturity.
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Avery, M., Taeusch, W. & Wang, N. “Skin age” as a predictor of gestational age. A study of withinlitter and between-litter variability in fetal rabbits. Pediatr Res 5, 416 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00188
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197108000-00188