title: The formation of the neural tube in rat embryos, cultured in vitro, studied with teratogens.
abstract: With rat embryos cultured in vitro, two mechanisms are studied which are involved in the elevation and apposition of the neural walls: the mesoderm compartment and the "purse string" of the neurectoderm. The first is counteracted using hyaluronidase injected into the head-folds, the second using cytochalasin B or D, injected into the amniotic cavity. All teratogens cause malformations. Hyaluronidase produces inversion of the head-folds, and the cytochalasins cause eversion. Injection of both hyaluronidase and cytochalasin, however, results in a near to normal closure of the head-folds.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003572:Cytochalasins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013723:Teratogens / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D003572:Cytochalasins; D013723:Teratogens; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase