Preliminary observations on the effects of selenate on the development of the embryonic skate, Raja eglanteria.
Morphogenesis of the clearnose skate, Raja eglanteria, was not significantly inhibited as a result of 7 days of exposure to 1-2 mM selenate in the sea water during Days 59-69 of embryonic development (hatching would normally have occurred at 82 +/- 4 days of incubation).  Although corneal transparency appeared normal in the eye, preliminary measurements of the thickness of Bowman's layer of the cornea suggested that it was significantly thinner in the corneas of embryos exposed to 1-2 mM selenate.  Selenate is an ion reported to inhibit sulfation of glycosaminoglycans in connective tissue.
Conrad
G W
GW
Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Salsbury Cove, Maine 04672.
Luer
C A
CA
Paulsen
A Q
AQ
Funderburgh
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000002:abnormalities*; D003315:Cornea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects; D064586:Selenic Acid; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012860:Skates, Fish / Q000196:embryology*
D018036:Selenium Compounds; D064586:Selenic Acid