Cells from Early Chick Embryos in Culture

Just prior to streak formation (Stage XIII) the two layered chick blastoderm is formed by the one layer epiblast which needs the influence of the hypoblastic layer to develop an embryonic axis. A study has been made of this latest possible stage in the development of the chick in which one cell population, the epiblast, is still totipotential. The intention being to examine in particular the differentiation capacities of these cells in culture and at the same time to compare them with hypoblastic cells. In studying differentiation we have attempted to minimize heterogeneity of the starting cell population by culturing either hypoblastic cells or epiblastic cells. The epiblastic cells were derived from epiblasts deprived of the marginal zone and of the area opaca. Hypoblastic cells formed a one cell thick characteristic epithelium. Epiblastic cells in culture were found to evolve from a homogenous sheet to clearly demarcated areas to dome structures which resemble embryoid bodies from teratocarcinomas. Histologically three main tissue types were found in the epiblastic cultures. Sometimes the borderline between two of the tissue types was found to be clearly demarcated by a basement membrane. Both hypoblastic and epiblastic cells produced a basement membrane-like structure when cultured in vitro. The appearance of mesoderm in the epiblastic cultures was particularly interesting and it was evident by the appearance of blood islands and clearly defined endothelial-lined cavities. No complex organized embryonic structures of any kind were found in the cultures.