CELL-KINETICS OF SURGICALLY INDUCED SPINAL OPEN NEURAL-TUBE DEFECT INCHICK-EMBRYOS

In an attempt to understand cell kinetics of open neural tube defects (ONTDs) in the embryonic stages, chronological changes of cell prolife ration and cell death patterns in the surgically induced spinal ONTDs of chick embryos were investigated using proliferating cell nuclear an tigen (PCNA) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediat ed deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. ONTDs were induced at Hamburger and Hamilton stages 17-19. Compared wi th the control group, the surgery group showed a lower PCNA labeling i ndex for 5 days after surgery and demonstrated more TUNEL-positive cel ls at 6 h, 3 and 5 days after surgery. Decreased cell proliferation an d enhanced apoptosis were seen in the ventral as well as in the dorsal spinal cord. These results partly explain the functional deficits of ONTDs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.