The effect of transcription inhibitors on early development of the avian embryo.

The effect of transcription [actinomycin D, 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB), alpha-amanitin] and translation inhibitors (cycloheximide, puromycin) on quail embryo development was investigated under in vitro conditions. The gastrulation process seemed to proceed normally in the presence of transcription inhibitors in the medium but the translation inhibitors stopped development and caused complete degeneration of the embryos.