Protocol of Geometric Morphometrics for Teratogenicity Testing

Abstract

Geometric morphometrics (GM) enables a quantitative study of shapes and forms allowing the identification and characterization of teratogenic malformations. The GM methodology offers several advantages in comparison to traditional biometric methods, such as higher detail and precision analysis. In this chapter, we describe the recent application of the Procrustes method with ImageJ and MorphoJ programs in the characterization of developmental malformations. With this methodology, we are a step closer to being able to assign molecular pathways or unique signatures to a specific teratogen according to the produced phenotypes or to cluster unknown compounds.

Keywords: Developmental period; Embryonic morphology; Landmarks; Morphometric analysis; Procrustes method; Statistical calculation; Teratogenic malformations.