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Cardiac looping in experimental conditions: Effects of extraembryonic forces
Author(s) -
Voronov Dmitry A.,
Taber Larry A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.10121
Subject(s) - embryo , surface tension , biology , tension (geology) , biophysics , membrane , in ovo , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , biochemistry , physics , thermodynamics , composite material , ultimate tensile strength
Abstract The chick embryo is a popular experimental model used to study the mechanisms of cardiac looping. To facilitate oxygen transport, researchers typically culture the embryo on the surface of the medium. Such preparations, however, expose the embryo and the heart to surface tension that is not present in ovo. This study investigates the influence that surface and extraembryonic membrane tensions have on looping morphology. To eliminate surface tension, we developed a technique in which the embryo is cultured under a thin layer of fluid. To eliminate membrane tension, the membrane was removed. Our results show that both tensions can affect looping, with surface tension potentially having a much greater effect. Moreover, we show that surface tension can alter results in one classic looping experiment. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.