Histological analysis of mouse embryos, fetuses, or newborns remains one the most common methods and in some cases the "gold standard" used in teratology studies to detect abnormal morphogenesis during development. Histochemistry methods are based on the selectivity of certain chemical compounds for certain cellular or tissue components, several of them related to specific maturation processes. In this chapter, specific histochemistry techniques that allow for the monitoring of critical stages of tissue and organ formation, such as skeleton and muscle differentiation, neuronal maturation, neuronal connectivity, and neurodevelopment after teratogenic exposure are described in detail.
Keywords: Histochemistry; Microscopy; Morphogenesis; Mouse; Muscle; Neurons; Skeleton.