Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differentiation of the neural plate and neural tube in the young chick embryo

A study by scanning and transmission electron microscopy

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The differentiation of the presumptive neural plate, the neural plate and the neural tube have been investigated in the chick embryo by SEM, TEM and histochemical techniques. The relationship of these tissues to neighbouring structures, including extracellular materials, has also been studied.

When SEM micrographs of primitive streak stage embryos were examined in stereo, it was found that cells which had been invaginating at the time of fixation were similar in shape to fibroblasts migrating in vitro. It was concluded that SEM stereo pairs could provide evidence about the mode and direction of cell migration.

Many more mid-bodies have been found associated with the developing neural tissue than with the lateral ectoderm. It was found possible to recognise mid-bodies not only by TEM but also by SEM. It is therefore proposed that SEM montages may be used for assessing which regions of a tissue have recently undergone extensive mitosis.

The beads on the specialised threads seen in the early stages of development are now considered to be formed from mid-bodies. Similar, but unbeaded threads have been described which span the gap between the neural folds just prior to the dorsal closure of the neural tube and it seems probably that these threads help to close the neural tube. It is suggested that the beaded threads arise by incomplete separation of two daughter cells at mitosis, whereas the unbeaded threads form by outgrowth of cell processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, R: Submicroscopical study of chick embryo neural tube experimentally reopened in vitro. Z. Zellforsch. 86, 422–429 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Allenspach, A. L., Roth, L. E.: Structural variations during mitosis in the chick embryo. J. Cell Biol. 33, 179–196 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Auclair, C., Messier P.-É.: Microtubules et morphologie des cellules du tube neural chez l'embryon de poulet. Rev. Canad. Biol. 33, 33–44 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Balinsky, B. I., Walther, H.: The immigration of the presumptive mesoblast from the primitive streak in the chick as studied with the electron microscope. Acta Embryol. Morph. exp. (Palermo) 4, 261–283 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, M., Bellairs, R.: The onset of differentiation in the epiblast of the chick blastoderm (SEM and TEM). Cell Tiss. Res. 155, 399–418 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellairs, R.: Early differentiation of the nervous system. In: “Essays on the Nervous System. A Festschrift for Professor J. Z. Young” (R. Bellairs and E. G. Gray, eds.). Oxford: Clarendon Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellairs, R., Bancroft, M.: Midbodies and beaded threads. Am J. Anat. 143, 393–398 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Buck, R. C.: The central spindle and the cleavage furrow. In: The Cell in Mitosis (L. Levine, ed). New York: Academic Press 1963

    Google Scholar 

  • Camatini, M., Chierichetti, S., Ranzi, S., Saita, A.: La formazione del tubo neurale nell'embrione di pollo. Ist. Lomb. (Rend. Sci.) B. 103, 287–296 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Camatini, M., Ranzi, S.: Ancora sulla formazione del tubo neurale nell'embrione di pollo. Ist. Lomb. (Rend. Sci.) B. 106, 230–232 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. M., Hay, E. D.: Secretion of collagen by embryonic neuroepithelium at the time of spinal cord-somite interaction. Develop. Biol. 26, 578–605 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Emanuelsson, H.: Mitotic activity in chick embryos at the primitive streak stage. Acta physiol. scand. 52, 211–233 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, B. G.: Surface modifications of neural epithelial cells during formation of the neural tube in the rat embryo. J. Embryol exp. Morph. 28, 437–448 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Glücksmann, A.: Cell deaths in vertebrate ontogeny. Biol. Rev. 26, 59–86 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gouda, J. G.: Studies on the relation between early developing somites and neural tube in the chick embryo. M. Phil. Thesis, University of London (1974)

  • Granholm, N. H., Baker, J. R.: Cytoplasmic microtubules and the mechanism of avian gastrulation. Develop. Biol. 23, 563–584 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamburger, V., Hamilton, H. L.: A series of normal stages in the development of the chick embryo. J. Morph. 88, 49–92 (1951)

    Google Scholar 

  • Handel, M. A., Roth, L. E.: Cell shape and morphology of the neural tube: implications for microtubule function. Develop. Biol. 25, 78–95 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay, E. D.: Organization and fine structure of epithelium and mesenchyme in the developing chick embryo. In: Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions (R. Fleischmajer and R. E. Billingham, eds.). Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay, E. D.: Origin and role of collagen in the embryo. Amer. Zool. 13, 1085–1107 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hay, E. D., Meier, S.: Glycosaminoglycan synthesis by embryonic inductors: neural tube, notochord and lens. J. Cell Biol. 62, 889–898 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtfreter, J.: Formative Reize in der Embryonalentwicklung der Amphibien dargestellt an Explantationsversuchen. Arch. exp. Zellforsch. 15, 281–301 (1934)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, H. J., Christ, B., Jacob, B., Bijvank, G. J.: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies on the epiblast of young chick embryos. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 143, 205–214 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karfunkel, P.: The activity of microtubules and microfilaments in neurulation in the chick. J. exp. Zool. 181, 289–307 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karfunkel, P.: The mechanisms of neural tube formation. Int. Rev. Cytol. 38, 245–271 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnovsky, M. J.: A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolarity for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 27, 137 A (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kvist, T. N., Finnegan, C. V.: The distribution of glycosaminoglycans in the axial region of the developing chick embryo. I. Histochemical analysis. J. exp. Zool. 175, 221–240 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, F. E.: Die Entwicklung von Rückenmark, Spinalganglien und Wirbelanlagen in chordalosen Körperregionen, von Tritonlarven. Rev. suisse Zool. 42, 405–415 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lillie, R. D.: Histopathologic Technic and Practical Histochemistry., 3rd ed., p. 715. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1965

    Google Scholar 

  • Low, F. M.: Extracellular connective tissue fibrils in the chick embryo. Anat. Rec 160, 93–108 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Messier, P.-E.: Effects of β-mercaptoethanol on the fine structure of the neural plate cells of the chick embryo. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 21, 309–329 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mestres, P., Hinrichsen, K.: The cell coat in the early chick embryo. Anat. Embryol. 146, 181–192 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • New, D. A. T.: The formation of sub-blastodermic fluid in hens' eggs. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 4, 221–227 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Hare, M. J. O.: A histochemical study of sulphated glycosaminoglycans associated with the somites of the chick embryo. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 29, 197–208 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Portch, P. A., Barson, A. J.: Scanning electron microscopy of neurulation in the chick. J. Anat. 117, 341–350 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pasteels, J.: Etudes sur la gastrulation des vertebrées méroblastiques. III. Oiseaux. Arch. Biol. Paris 48, 381–488 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce, A. G. E.: Histochemistry. Theoretical and Applied. London: J. and A. Churchill 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K. R.: Microtubules in intracellular locomotion. In: Locomotion of Tissue Cells, Ciba Foundation Symposium 14, (new series) 149–169 (1973)

  • Porter, K. R., Todaro, G. J., Fonte, V. A.: A scanning electron microscope study of surface features of viral and spontaneous transforments of mouse BALB/3T3 cells. J. Cell Biol. 59, 633–642 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramon y Cajal: A quelle epoque apparaissend les expansions de cellules nerveuses de la moelle epimère du poulet? Anat. Anz. 5, 631–639 (1890)

    Google Scholar 

  • Revel, J. P., Yip, P., Chang, L. L.: Cell junctions in the early chick embryo—a freeze etch study. Develop. Biol. 35, 302–317 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, E., Gonatas, N. K.: The ultrastructure of a mammalian cell during the mitotic cycle. J. Cell Biol. 21, 429–464 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosequist, G. C.: A radioautographic study of labelled grafts in the, chick blastoderm. Development from primitive-streak stages to stage 12. Publ. 625, Contr. Embryol. Carneg. Instn. 38, 111–121 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggeri, A.: Sull'ultrastruttura della linea primitiva nel blastoderma di pollo. Arch. ital. Anat. Embriol. 61, 407–432 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggeri, A.: Richerche ultrastructurali sull'ectoderma dell'embrione di pollo. Z. Zellforsch. 77, 361–376 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, E. J.: Intercellular contact in the unincubated chick embryo. Z. Zellforsch. 141, 459–469 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlüter, G.: Ultrastructural observations on cell necrosis during formation of the neural tube in mouse embryos. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 141 251–264 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takaya, H.: Two types of neural differentiation produced in connection with mesenchymal tissue. Proc. Imp. Acad. Japan. 32, 282–288 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Trelstad, R. L., Hay, E. D., Revel, J.-P.: Cell contact, during early morphogenesis in the chick embryo. Develop. Biol. 16, 78–106 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Trinkaus, J. P.: Modes of cell locomotion in vivo. I: Locomotion of Tissue Cells, Ciba Fundation symposium 14 (new series) 233–249 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, P.: Secretory activity of the inner layer of the embryonic midbrain of the chick as revealed by tissue culture. Anat. Rec. 58, 299–302 (1934)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessells, N. K., Spooner, B. S., Luduena, M. A.: Surface movements, microfilaments and cell locomotion. In Ciba Symposium “Locomotion of Tissue Cells” (M. Abercrombie, ed.) (1973)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University College, London

    Mary Bancroft & Ruth Bellairs

Authors
  1. Mary Bancroft
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ruth Bellairs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bancroft, M., Bellairs, R. Differentiation of the neural plate and neural tube in the young chick embryo. Anat. Embryol. 147, 309–335 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315078

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00315078

Key words

Search

Navigation