[Heat shock proteins, embryogenesis and evolution].

We present results about immunohistochemical identification of several heat shock proteins (HSP'S) during mouse normal and teratological embryogenesis. Apoptotic cells express very specifically and precociously HSP 110. This fact permits to identify apoptotic cells before apparition of morphologic features of apoptosis, but also to quantify the process of cell death in some teratological models, particularly administration of retinoic acid. HSP 86 is expressed in some cell populations, and particularly permanent in germ cells. Our observations brought us to discuss the potential protective role of HSP on germ cells, and the consequence of their inactivation in the macroevolution process, as well as the role of apoptosis in teratology.