An experimental study on neural crest migration in Barbus conchonius (Cyprinidae, Teleostei), with special reference to the origin of the enteroendocrine cells

Abstract

A neural crest transplantation technique is described for fish. As in other classes of vertebrates, two pathways of neural crest migration can be distinguished: a lateroventral pathway between somites and ectoderm, and a medioventral pathway between somites and neural tube/notochord. In this paper evidence is presented for a neural crest origin of spinal ganglion cells and pigment cells, and indication for such an origin is obtained for sympathetic and enteric ganglion cells and for cells that are probably homologues to adrenomedullary and paraganglion cells in the future kidney area. The destiny of neural crest cells near the developing lateral-line sense organs is discussed. When grafted into the yolk, neural crest cells or neural tube cells appear to differentiate into 'periblast cells'; this suggests a highly activating influence of the yolk. Many neural crest cells are found around the urinary ducts and, when grafted below the notochord, even within the urinary duct epithelium. These neural crest cells do not invade the gut epithelium, even when grafted adjacent to the developing gut. Consequently enteroendocrine cells in fish are not likely to have a trunk- or rhombencephalic neural crest origin. Another possible origin of these cells will be proposed.