Teratological research using in vitro systems. III. Embryonic organs in culture.

A search of literature published through the spring of 1986 yielded approximately 95 citations for the following embryonic organs in culture: kidney, pancreas, skin, palate, craniofacial tissue, tooth, lens, bones, digits, and liver. However, only the in vitro organ culture of the palate and tooth are reviewed in this paper. The other organ culture systems were not reported as teratogenic screens. Although some organs may have the potential for such use, many are currently used for evaluation of the pathogenesis associated with congenital abnormalities, cancer, or transplacental carcinogenesis, or in studies of the structure and function of differentiating organs, and will not be included in this review.