Skip to main content
Log in

A study on the regenerative potential of partially excised mouse embryonic fore-limb bud

  • Published:
Anatomy and Embryology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The ability of day E10 mouse fore-limb bud to regulate following the removal of a portion of limb tissue was investigated. A longitudinal strip of tissue, two to three somites in width and extending from the base of the limb bud to its distal tip, was excised. The embryos were then maintained in a roller culture system for periods of 6 h, 12 h or 24 h post-operatively prior to fixation and subsequent examination. The embryos were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy. SEM revealed that about two thirds of the operated limbs grossly restored their overall morphology. The sequence of morphological changes involved in the restoration process is described. The ability of the restored limb bud to develop an apical ectodermal ridge (AER) is shown in histological sections.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Borgens RB (1982) Mice regrow the tips of their foretoes. Science 217:747–750

    Google Scholar 

  • Cairns JM (1975) The function of the apical ectodermal ridge and distinctive characteristics of adjacent distal mesoderm in the avian wing-bud. J Embryo Exp Morphol 34:155–169

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrington JL, Fallon JF (1988) Initial limb budding is independent of apical ectodermal ridge activity; evidence from a limbless mutant. Development 104:361–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan WY, Lee KKH, Tam PPL (1991) The regenerative capacity of forelimb buds after amputation in mouse embryos at the early- organogenesis stage. J Exp Zool (in press)

  • Deuchar EM (1976) Regeneration of amputated limb-buds in early rat embryos. J Embryol Exp Morphol 35:345–354

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhouailly D, Kieny M (1972) The capacity of the flank somatic mesoderm of early bird embryos to participate in limb development. Dev Biol 28:162–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming MW, Tassava RA (1981) Preamputation and postamputation histology of the neonatal opossum hindlimb: implications for regneration experiments. J Exp Zool 215:143–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler I, Sisken BF (1982) Effect of augmentation of nerve supply upon limb regeneration in the chick embryo. J Exp Zool 221:49–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Gumpel-Pinot M, Ede DA, Flint OP (1984) Myogenic cell movement in the developing avian limb bud in the presence and absence of the apical ectoderm ridge (AER). J Embryol Exp Morphol 80:105–125

    Google Scholar 

  • Illingworth CM (1974) Trapped fingers and amputated finger tips in children. J Pediatr Surg 9:853–858

    Google Scholar 

  • Karnovsky MJ (1965) A formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde fixative of high osmolarity for use in electron microscopy. J Cell Biol 27:137a

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry OH, Rosenbrough NJ, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with Folin reagent. J Biol Chem 193:265–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Milaire J (1962) Histochemical aspects of limb morphogenesis in vertebrates. Adv Morphol 2:183–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Mizell M (1968) Limb regeneration: induction in the new-born opossum. Science 161:283–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Neufeld DA (1985) Bone healing after amputation of mouse digits and newt limbs: implication for induced regeneration in mammals. Anat Rec 211 (2):156–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Neufeld DA (1989) Epidermis, basement membrane, and connective-tissue after amputation of mouse digits: implication for mammalian appendage regeneration. Anat Rec 223:425–432

    Google Scholar 

  • Neufeld DA, Aulthouse AL (1986) Association of mesenchyme with attenuated basement membranes during morphogenetic stages of newt limb regeneration. Am J Anat 176 (4):411–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Saunders JW Jr (1948) The proximo-distal sequence of origin of the parts of chick wing and the role of the ectoderm. J Exp Zool 108:363–404

    Google Scholar 

  • Scadding SR (1982) Can differences in limb regeneration ability between amphibian species be explained by differences in quantity of innervation? J Exp Zool 219:81–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Schotte OE, Smith CB (1961) Effects of ACTH and of cortisone upon amputational wound healing processess in mice digits. J Exp Zool 146:209–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Summerbell D (1974) Interaction between the proximo-distal and antero-posterior coordinates of positional values during the specification of positional information in the early development of the chick limb bud. J Embryol Exp Morphol 32:227–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Wachtler F (1984) On the migration of epidermal melanoblasts in the avian embryonic wing bud. Anat Embryol 170:307–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanek N, Muneoka K, Bryant SV (1989a) Evidence for regulation following amputation and tissue grafting in the developing mouse limb. J Exp Zool 249:55–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Wanek N, Muneoka K, Holler-Dinsmore G, Burton R, Bryant SV (1989b) A staging system for mouse limb development. J Exp Zool 249:41–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittingham DG, Wales RG (1969) Storage of 2-cell mouse embryos in vitro. Aust J Biol Sci 22:1065–1068

    Google Scholar 

  • Zwilling E (1956) Interaction between limb bud ectoderm and mesoderm in the chick embryo. J Exp Zool 32:157–171

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lee, K.K.H., Chan, W.Y. A study on the regenerative potential of partially excised mouse embryonic fore-limb bud. Anat Embryol 184, 153–157 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00942746

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00942746

Key words

Navigation