Differentiation of the neural plate and neural tube in the young chick embryo. A study by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

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.