Regional variation of cell proliferation within the facial processes of the chick embryo: a study of the role of 'merging' during development.

Variation in rates of cell proliferation along the long axis of the maxillary process, within the lateral nasal process and in the zone of attachment between these structures was analyzed employing DNA labeling indices. Chick embryos were labeled with [3H]thymidine for 1 h and processed for histology and autoradiography. The percentage of labeled mesenchymal cells was determined in delineated areas. Analysis of labeling indices indicated that rates of cell proliferation varied within each of the facial processes. Regions where rates of proliferation were maintained at elevated levels were the boundary areas of the facial processes (e.g. the anterior tip of the maxillary process) and the zones of attachment between the facial processes (e.g. between the maxillary process and the lateral nasal process). Despite the presence of elevated rates of proliferation in selected regions within the facial processes, however, the percentage of labeled cells in all areas declined with advancing developmental age. These findings support the hypothesis, proposed by Streeter and Patten, that the 'merging' of adjacent facial primordia, such as the maxillary and lateral nasal processes, is accomplished by elevated rates of cell proliferation within the zones of attachment compared to the rates of proliferation in adjacent regions.