Abstract
The development of the chick optic lobe was impaired following removal of the optic cup of the early embryo. Tectal cell number is reduced but cell size may be relatively normal. Ther was evidence of neuronal cell death and several neuron-associated proteins and enzymes (nerve-specific protein and acetylcholinesterase) showed selectively impaired maturation. However, other nerve-specific enzymes (choline acetyltransferase, tyrosine hydroxylase), develop normally on a per cell basis. The noninnervated optic lobe had a normal blood-brain barrier but a depressed ability to accumulate amino acids from plasma. Levels of 3':5'-cyclic GMP were also reduced in the nonafferented lobe.
Highlights
Deafferentation of the optic tectum of the new hatched chick by eye removal leads to an arrest of its development
The maturation of blood-brain barrier is not completely prevented by deafferentation ofthe chick optic lobe [37]. Other maturation processes such as the formation of myelin cerebrosides and the appearance of2': 3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphohydrolase are selectively inhibited [2] by optic lobe deafferentation
We have found that growth of the noninnervated optic tectum is severely retarded, the development of several processes associated with brain maturation still occurs
Summary
Deafferentation of the optic tectum of the new hatched chick by eye removal leads to an arrest of its development. If an optic cup of the chick is removed at 2-3 days after the start ofincubation, the corresponding contralateral optic lobe does not receive its usual innervation from the optic nerve at 8-11 days of incubation. In this case tbe lobe is not denervated but rather it is noninnervated. We have examined a variety of biochemical indices of development of such noninnervated optic lobes in the 20-day-chick embryo, just prior to hatch. This time period was chosen in view of the high mortality associated with hatching. We have found that growth of the noninnervated optic tectum is severely retarded, the development of several processes associated with brain maturation still occurs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
