[Study of the catecholamines in the notochord of Anura Amphibia embryos. Its possible relationships with the adenyl-cyclase activity and the primordial germ cells migration (author's transl)].

Notochord from several Anura Amphibia embryos was investigated by cytochemical study. A green fluorescence was observed, indicating a catecholamine storage in the notochord, during a precise time of their development. A stimulation of the mesoblast area by catecholamine is suggested by the analogy between the catecholamine chordal distribution and the adenyl-cyclase activity of the chordo-mesoderm. This stimulation would be followed by a cAMP production directing the PGC migration. Treatment by L-dopa increases fluorescence in the notochord. Reserpine and alpha-methyl-paratyrosine decreases the notochord fluorescence, either by stocked catecholamine depletion in the case of reserpine, or by inhibition of their synthesis by alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine.