Physiological effects of hypoxia and trypan blue in 17-day chick embryos.

Seventeen-day chick embryos were divided into 5 groups and treated as follows: (1) untreated, (2) yolk-sac injected with 0.1 ml of saturated trypan blue solution solution in sterile saline, (3) saline, (4) hypoxia, i.e., 10.5% oxygen, and (5) hypoxia plus trypan blue. After 5 h hypoxia-treated embryos had an increased mortality rate, severe hypoglycemia, reduced blood pH, elevated plasma potassium, and reduced CO2 content. Trypan blue treatment induced few deaths and few physiological imbalances. Hypoxia plus trypan blue was without synergistic effects and had effects that did not differ significantly from hypoxia alone. This lack of response of 17-day chick embryos to high doses of trypan blue may be related to a marked decline in oxygen consumption by the yolk at this age.     

A study of the effects of trypan blue injected into amphibian zygotes

Summary Trypan blue was injected (0.001–0.002 mg/egg) into zygotes ofRana. The trypan blue-injected series showed much greater mortality than the controls. A probable suppression of gastrulation was seen. 29.7% of the dye-injected and 50.3% of the control embryos developed beyond stage 14. Abnormalities seemed to appear only after neurulation began. Microcephaly, trunk and tail abnormalities occurred though in a small number. Sections of a few embryos revealed disorganized brain and degeneration of the neural tissue. There were no cases of mesodermalization of the notochord.The results are discussed from the view point that trypan blue alters the physical state of proteins in the cytoplasm of the egg.     

The developmental potential of frozen-thawed hamster preimplantation embryos following embryo transfer: Viability of slowly frozen embryos following slow and rapid thawing

Hamster preimplantation embryos were slowly frozen (0.33°C/min) and seeded above 10°C in TC-199 containing 1.5 M-DMSO. These embryos were thawed either slowly (1.5°C/min) or rapidly (90°C/min). The thawed embryos were examined by morphology, trypan blue exclusion and viability after embryo transfer. Slow thawing gave significantly higher viability compared to rapid thawing. The early preimplantation embryos demonstrate higher sensitivity to freezing. The three tests of viability (morphology, trypan blue exclusion and embryo transfer) were found to be positively correlated.     

Inhibition of glucocorticoid-induced cataracts in chick embryos by RU486: a model for studies on the role of glucocorticoids in development

Cataract formation can be induced by glucocorticoid treatment of developing chick embryos. We show here that this response can be blocked very effectively by use of the antiglucocorticoid RU486. When dexamethasone (0.02 micromol/egg) was administered from day 13 to 16 chick embryos, their lenses (over 80%) became cataract (GC-induced cataract; stage IV-V) within 48 hrs. These GC-induced cataract formations were prevented by administration of RU486 (0.2 micromol/egg) on day 9. However, RU486 also inhibited hatching even though the embryos showed normal growth and appearance. In control embryos, more than 90% live chicks (39/42 chicks) were hatched on day 22. Chick embryos treated with RU486 on day 9 appeared to grow normally until 21, but could not hatch. When chick embryos were treated with RU486 (0.2 micromol/egg) on day 15, more than 80% live embryos (34/42 chicks) were hatched on day 23 with normal appearance, which was one day delay comparing to the control. These observations indicate that endogenous glucocorticoids are involved in the ability to hatch and that RU486 is able to block the actions of endogenous glucocorticoids. Thus, RU486 should be a very useful tool for studies on other biochemical and physiological aspects of chick embryo development that are under glucocorticoid control.     

Pulmonary stenosis with ventricular septal defect, common aorticopulmonary trunk, and dextroposition of the aorta: morphologic and qualitative physiologic effects in caffeine-treated chick embryos

Effects of caffeine administration to Hamburger-Hamilton stage 19 chick embryos (3 days of incubation) were investigated. A morphologic study of the effect of caffeine on cardiogenesis showed that caffeine produced total cardiac malformations in the chick in a dose-related fashion. A maximum frequency of 70.6% was observed with 4.7 mg caffeine. Major malformations included common aorticopulmonary trunk and dextroposition of the aorta accompanied by ventricular septal defect with/without pulmonary stenosis. Qualitative analysis of cinegraphs following exposure of embryos to a single teratogenic dose of caffeine (3.5 mg/egg) produced marked alterations in cardiac function when compared with chick Ringer's controls. Within 3 minutes after exposure to caffeine, dilation of the common ventricle and weak ventricular contractility were observed and persisted for 1 hour. Dose-response data and microcinematographic observations suggest that caffeine induced cardiac anomalies by a direct toxic effect on the embryo rather than by altering cardiac cell function. Our data also suggest that pathophysiologic changes in cardiac function may play an important role in the pathogenesis of caffeine-induced cardiac anomalies in the chick embryo.     

Development of spontaneous motility in chick embryos. Interaction of strychnine, glycine and GABA.

The interaction of strychnine (1 mg/kg egg weight), glycine (100 mg/kg egg weight) and GABA (103 mg/kg egg weight) on spontaneous motor activity recorded by the method of Kovach (1970) in intact eggs was studied in chick embryos from the 11th to 21st day of incubation. In 11- and 13-day embryos, neither of the amino acids influenced strychnine activation of spontaneous motility. From the 15th incubation day, strychnine activation was distinctly affected by both amino acids, but the maximum effect was observed on the 19th day. Glycine had a stronger inhibitory effect, since it prevented strychnine convulsions from developing, whereas GABA only modified them. It can be concluded from the results that glycine-sensitive and GABA-sensitive mechanisms of embryonal spontaneous motility do not begin to take effect in chick embryos until the 15th day of incubation.     

Studies on the mechanism of trypan blue teratogenicity in the rat developing in vivo and in vitro

Trypan blue is a potent teratogen in vivo and in vitro in the rat. Many of the abnormalities produced by trypan blue--including swollen neural tube and pericardium, subectodermal blisters, hematomas, and generalized edema--may result from altered fluid balance in and around the embryo. The present study demonstrates relationships between changes in the fluid environment around the embryo and appearance of anomalies. Rat embryos were exposed in utero or in vitro to trypan blue during the early period of organogenesis. Both exposures resulted in defects that are typical of trypan blue treatment. Osmolality of exocoelomic fluid (ECF) was measured on gestation day 10 in vivo and day 12 in vitro, both after 48 hr of exposure to trypan blue. In both cases ECF osmolality was significantly lower than controls. This was correlated with the presence of edema-related anomalies in the embryo. On gestation day 11 in vivo, three days after maternal injection of trypan blue, ECF osmolalities were significantly higher than controls; however, there was tremendous variability in this parameter in day 11 treated embryos, and some had ECF osmolalities below the control range. Increased frequency of abnormalities was correlated with abnormal ECF osmolality, below and above the control range. Trypan blue probably exerts its teratogenic effects by disturbing the function of the visceral yolk sac. The movements of an amino acid and a monosaccharide across the visceral yolk sac were measured on gestation day 12 embryos in vitro. This aspect of yolk sac function was not altered by trypan blue exposure. Ultrastructure of the visceral yolk sac was observed after trypan blue exposure in vivo and in vitro. Endodermal cells in trypan blue-treated yolk sacs contained fewer large, electron dense lysosomes than controls. These were replaced by numerous small vacuoles, which may contain trypan blue. Trypan blue causes osmotic changes in the rat embryo in vivo and in vitro. These changes are correlated with embryonic malformations. Alterations in yolk sac ultrastructure indicate that trypan blue affects the function of this membrane.     

Opioid elements in development of the spontaneous motility of chick embryos

The effects of the acute and chronic administration of a pure opioid antagonist--naltrexone--was studied in chick embryos from the 4th to the 19th day of incubation. In acute administration, naltrexone (40 mg/kg egg weight) induced paroxysmal activation of spontaneous motility in both normal and spinal embryos from the 13th-15th day of incubation. Activation attained 3- to 4-fold the resting activity of chick embryos of the same ages. The chronic administration of naltrexone (7.46 +/- 1.18 mg/kg e.w. per 24 h) from the 4th to the 16th day of incubation was not manifested either in the embryos' somatic development or in the weight of the brain hemispheres, but it depressed the development of spontaneous motility to 26.1-75.8% of the activity of the control embryos. This developmental effect was not demonstrably correlated either to the length of time for which naltrexone was administered, or to when, in the course of incubation, it was administered to the chick embryos. The results are evaluated as evidence of the participation of opioid elements in the development and effectuation of central motor input functions in the early stages of ontogenetic development.     

Strain differences in teratogenic susceptibility to trypan blue between WM and BDIX rat strains

Female rats of WM (Wistar-Mishima)/Nem strain were mated with WM/Nem (group W) or BDIX/Nem males (group WB), and BDIX/Nem females were mated with BDIX/Nem (group B) or WM/Nem males (group BW). On day 8 of gestation, pregnant females were treated intraperitoneally with 1% aqueous solution of trypan blue at a dose of between 20 and 120 mg/kg of body weight. On day 20 of gestation, fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. In group W, fetal mortality increased dose dependently at doses higher than 20 mg/kg, and incidences of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations were significantly higher than control at doses of 30 mg/kg and more. In group B, fetal mortality and the incidence of external malformations were significantly higher than control only in the group treated with 120 mg/kg, and no significant increase of visceral and skeletal malformations was shown. It was confirmed that BDIX strain is much more resistant to trypan blue teratogenicity than WM strain. In group BW, nearly the same teratogenic effects were shown as in group W in terms of fetal mortality and incidence of malformations. However, in group WB, teratogenic effects were not so remarkable as in group BW, suggesting patroclinous effects in teratogenic susceptibility to trypan blue. In group BW, sex differences in teratogenic susceptibility were found; male fetuses were more susceptible to trypan blue than females.     

Evaluation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) PGCs viability and DNA damage using different cryopreservation protocols

Cryopreservation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is a better alternative for the conservation of the diploid genome in fish until embryo cryopreservation is achieved. A good cryopreservation protocol must guarantee high survival rates but also absence of genetic damage. In this study, a cell toxicity test using several internal and external cryoprotectants was carried out. The best combination of cryoprotectants (DMSO 5 mol/L, ethylene glicol (EG) 1 mol/L, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) 4%) was used with and without antifreeze proteins (AFPs) at two different concentrations (10 mg/mL and 20 mg/mL) for cryopreservation trials. Different cryopreservation methods were used with single PGCs, genital ridges, and whole zebrafish embryos using cryovials, 0.5 mL straws, microcapsules, and microdrops. All embryos were obtained from the vasa EGFP zf45 transgenic line and viability was evaluated using trypan blue. High cell viability rates after cryopreservation in 0.5 mL straws were obtained (around 90%) and a decrease in viability was only observed when cells were cryopreserved in microcapsules and when AFP at 20 mg/mL was added to the freezing media. Genetic damage was determined by comet assay and was compared in cells cryopreserved in 0.5 mL straws and microcapsules (lowest viability rate). There were significantly more DNA strand breaks after cryopreservation in the cells cryopreserved without cryoprotectants and in those cryopreserved in microcapsules. Genetic damage in the cells cryopreserved with cryoprotectants in 0.5 mL straws was similar to fresh control samples, regardless of the concentration of AFP used. The decrease in PGC viability with the addition of AFP 20 mg/mL did not correlate with an increase in DNA damage. This study reported a successful method for zebrafish PGC cryopreservation that not only guarantees high cell survival but also the absence of DNA damage.     

Activation of the serotonergic system in chick spinal cord during hatching.

The objectives of the present study were to determine the levels of serotonin (5-HT), its major catabolic metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and norepinephrine (NE) in chick spinal cord before, during, and after hatching and also to determine if changes in the levels of these chemicals are directly related to the hatching behavior. The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and NE were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in whole spinal cords of 20-day-old "pre-hatching" embryos, 21-day-old "normal hatching" embryos, 0-day-old "post-hatching" chicks, and 0-day-old "glass egg hatching" chicks. NE was measured but no significant differences were found in NE levels among experimental groups. The concentration of 5-HT was elevated in chick embryo spinal cords during normal hatching compared to pre-hatching embryos and post-hatching chicks. The concentration of 5-HIAA was elevated during and after normal hatching compared to pre-hatching embryos. However, neither 5-HT nor 5-HIAA levels were found to be elevated in chick spinal cords during glass egg hatching compared to pre-hatching embryos or post-hatching chicks. Therefore, there appears to be an activation of the serotonergic system in chick spinal cord related to the specific event of hatching but this activation is not directly related to the movements common to both hatching and glass egg hatching.     

Investigations of alkaline phosphatase Ca+2-ATPase and Na+, K+-ATPase during beta-APN-induced initial bone mineralization inhibition

Tibias of 6-day-old white Leghorn chick embryos treated with beta-aminopropionitrile (beta-APN; 0.1 mg/egg/day) for 4 days and injected with 3H-proline or 3H-tetracycline on the 11th day were analyzed for incorporation of 3H-proline and 3H-tetracycline. The incorporation of 3H-proline was comparable in the controls and beta-APN-treated embryos. However, the incorporation of 3H-tetracycline was significantly lower in beta-APN-treated embryos. The bone ash contents were also lower in the latter group. Alkaline phosphatase and Ca+2-ATPase were found to be significantly lower in beta-APN-treated embryonic bones. There was, however, no difference in the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase. The histochemical examination showed the alkaline phosphatase to be present on osteoblasts and matrix vesicle plasma membranes at the periosteal surface. The chick embryonic liver tissue showed no significant differences in the activities of any of the above enzymes. The results suggest that beta-APN-induced inhibition of the bone mineralization may be due to the bone-specific inhibition of alkaline phosphatase and Ca+2-ATPase.     

Development of spontaneous motility in chick embryos. Sensitivity to aminergic transmitters.

The consequences of systemic administration of aminergic transmitters (n-adrenaline 16 microgram/kg egg weight; serotonin 2.5 and 5 mg/kg e.w.; dopamine 2.5 and 5 mg/kg e.w.) for the spontaneous motility and heart rate of 11- to 19-day chick embryos were studied intack eggs. The following results were characteristic for all three transmitters: a) when administered to 11- and 13-day embryos their effect was non-significant; the first signs of activity did not appear until the 15th day of incubation. The effect on 17- and 19-day embryos was stronger. b) After the 15th day of incubation, all these transmitters had a predominantly inhibitory effect on spontaneous motility; in 17- and 19-day embryos this acquired a periodic character. c) The changes in spontaneous motility did not correlate significantly in any way with the relatively small heart rate changes. It is concluded from the results that aminergic mechanisms begin to participate in regulation of the spontaneous motility of chick embryos from the 15th day of incubation, and not before.     

Chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine following 31 days of withdrawal impairs sexual performance but not sexual conditioning in male Japanese quail

In the current study, male quail were administered methamphetamine (3.0 or 5.6mg/kg IP) or saline once daily for 10 days and locomotor activity was assessed. Following a 31-day withdrawal period, sexual conditioning trials were conducted such that a conditioned stimulus (CS) was presented prior to a copulatory opportunity with a female quail. Male quail treated with methamphetamine (5.6mg/kg) showed a decrease in locomotor activity from Trial 1 to Trial 10 suggesting a potential tolerance effect. Following the 31-day withdrawal period, all male quail that received the CS paired with a copulatory opportunity showed enhanced approach to the CS, regardless of treatment history. Thus, chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine did not alter sexual conditioning. In contrast, chronic pre-exposure to methamphetamine (3.0mg/kg) decreased the frequency of successful copulations suggesting that it impaired sexual performance. The findings suggest that methamphetamine may differentially affect the neural circuitry involved in motivational systems compared with those involved in consummatory aspects of sexual behavior. These effects may last long after drug cessation.     

Subchronic methamphetamine treatment selectively attenuates apomorphine-induced decrease in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid level in mesolimbic dopaminergic regions

To investigate mechanisms of behavioral enhancement produced by repeated doses of amphetamines, the effects of apomorphine on 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and dopamine (DA) levels were examined in various brain regions of the rat on the 4th day of withdrawal after repeated administration of saline or methamphetamine (3 mg/kg, s.c.) twice daily for 14 days. Apomorphine (0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a dose-dependent decrease in DOPAC levels and no effect on DA levels in the olfactory tubercle, nucleus accumbens, striatum, frontal and cingulate cortices of saline-treated animals. A decrease in DOPAC levels produced by a low dose of apomorphine was attenuated selectively in the olfactory tubercle and nucleus accumbens of methamphetamine-treated animals. A high dose of apomorphine produced a significant decrease in DOPAC levels in both regions. No such attenuation was obtained in the striatum and the frontal and cingulate cortices.These results suggest that subchronic methamphetamine may induce development of hyposensitivity of presynaptic DA receptors in the mesolimbic regions, which contribute to the behavioral enhancement produced by the drug.     

The Use of Vital Dyes to Assess Embryonic Viability in the Hamster, Mesocricetus Auratus

Experiments were designed to assess the use of the vital dyes trypan blue and fluorescein diacetate as indicators of the viability of hamster ova and embryos. Exclusion of trypan blue and fluorescence with fluorescein diacetate showed high correlations with uptake of [³H]uridine by ova and further development of embryos in vitro. Ova killed by freezing and thawing incorporated [³H]uridine at background levels. Trypan blue exclusion and fluorescein diacetate uptake were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.99). Trypan blue and fluorescein diacetate serve as excellent indices of viability in ova and early embryos of hamsters.     

Teratogenic effects of dilantin on thoraco-abdominal organs of developing chick embryos

Congenital anomalies on some viscera like heart, liver and kidney have been investigated in chick embryos after a single injection of dilantin (3 mg/egg), a known antiepileptic drug, on 4th day of incubation. On 19th day of incubation, chick embryos were collected to observe the gross malformations and histological changes in heart, liver and kidney. On gross examination, visceroptosis (29%), thin anterior abdominal wall (28%), ectopia cordis (10%) and dextrocardia (1%) were observed. Histological examination of the kidney revealed glomerular degeneration in kidney while in liver, dilated central veins with degenerated hepatocytes were present. Longitudinal section of the heart showed thicker musculature specially of ventricles with a narrower lumen in comparison to that of the control. The results indicate teratogenicity of dilantin in developing chick embryos.     

The effects of minoxidil on the development of the chick embryo

The effects of minoxidil were studied on chick embryos of 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Minoxidil (3%) was injected into the air sacs of the eggs at doses of 20, 30, 40, and 50 microliters per egg. The controls received 100 microliters of physiological saline. All the embryos, including controls, were examined at day 13. The total number of eggs used in this study was 300. At 24 hours incubation, the percentage of survival ranged from 87 to 21 as the dosages of minoxidil were increased from 20 microliters to 50 microliters per egg (controls = 87%). The survival of the embryos ranged from 79% to 9% after the 48-hour treatment with the similar dosages of minoxidil utilized for the 24-hour group (controls = 83%). A low incidence of gross malformations such as twisted limbs, abnormal beak, short neck and everted viscera were observed; however, the increased incidence was not statistically significant when compared to controls. Body hemorrhage and edema were of high occurrence among the treated embryos. These effects are probably secondary to the known pharmacological effects of minoxidil. The frequency and types of gross malformations did not vary much in the 24 or 48-hour treated groups.     

Hyperglycemia-induced membrane lipid peroxidation and elevated homocysteine levels are poorly attenuated by exogenous folate in embryonic chick brains

Injection of L-glucose (9.29 micromol/kg egg) into the air sac of fertile chicken eggs during the first 3 days of embryonic development (E(0-2)) has been reported to cause hyperglycemia and membrane lipid peroxidation in embryonic chick hepatic membranes. These observations have now been extended into embryonic chick brains at 11 days of development (theoretical stage 37). L-glucose caused a 1.7-fold increase in serum D-glucose levels (p< or =0.05), a 1.4-fold decrease in the % living embryos (p< or =0.05), a 1.1-fold decrease in embryonic masses (p< or =0.05), and a 1.4-fold decrease in embryonic brain masses (p< or =0.05) as compared to controls. L-glucose also caused a 3.8-fold increase in brain lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) levels (p< or =0.05) and complex changes in the relative fatty acid composition of brain membranes. Consistent with the hypothesis of hyperglycemia-induced increases in lipid peroxidation were decreased docosahexaenoic acid (DHA: 22: 6, n-3) levels as compared to controls (p< or =0.05). However, hyperglycemia-induced increased docosapentaenoic acid (DPA: 22:5, n-6) levels, decreased arachidonic acid (20; 4, n-6) levels, decreased linoleic acid (18:2, n-6) levels, and increased levels of several saturated short-chain membrane fatty acids were also observed as compared to controls (p< or =0.05). l-glucose caused a 12-fold increase in brain homocysteine levels, a 2.5-fold decrease in S-adenosylmethionine levels, and a 2-fold increase in S-adenosylhomocysteine levels as compared to controls (p< or =0.05). These hyperglycemia-induced alterations were poorly attenuated by exogenous folic acid (181.2 micromol/kg egg).     

Changes induces by haloperidol (antidepressant drug) on the developing retina of the chick embryo

Morphological and histological studies were done on the retina of chick embryos of 6th, 10th and 16th days of incubation by a single dose of haloperidol (0.25 mg/egg), injected on day zero and 5 of incubation. To get an idea about the extent of the teratogenic effect of this drug on the development retina. Sign of malformation in the chick embryo after administration of haloperidol were seen as absent of the ear vesicles, eyes or decreased size of them. Retardation of growth of the retina at 6th, 10th and 16th days treated chick embryo were observed as evidenced of reduction of the size of the retina, associated with sign of degeneration of the retina cells.

Conclusion

The injection of haloperidol drug give rise to several side effects as retardation of growth and degeneration of the cells. The decrease of the thickness of the layers and less density of the cells was related to direct effect of the drug on the cells of this organ. Also on the DNA formation and on the retardation of cellular mitotic activates, therefore the retina appeared decrease in thickness and less cell density with degeneration its cells.