Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Microinjection-based System for In Vivo Implantation of Embryonic Cardiomyocytes in the Avian Embryo
Published on: February 17, 2019
Development of cardiac form and function in ectothermic sauropsids
Dane A Crossley1, Warren W Burggren
1Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202, USA. dane.crossley@und.nodak.edu
Sauropsid cardiovascular development shows early similarities across tetrapods but later divergence in cardiac chamber formation. Future research should explore molecular regulation and functional maturation in this diverse vertebrate group.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Comparative physiology
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Sauropsids are phylogenetically significant, bridging ectothermy and endothermy.
- Cardiovascular evolution is key to understanding vertebrate transitions.
- Developmental aspects of sauropsid cardiovascular systems are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Synthesize current knowledge on sauropsid cardiovascular development.
- Identify gaps and future research directions.
- Explore morphological and physiological maturation.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis and review.
- Comparative analysis of morphological development.
- Examination of physiological maturation and environmental responses.
Main Results:
- Early cardiovascular tube formation is conserved across tetrapods.
- Cardiac chamber development and adult ventricular structure show significant variation among sauropsid taxa.
- Functional maturation exhibits species-specific changes but common embryonic beta-adrenergic tone.
- Cardiac development demonstrates plasticity in response to environmental stressors.
Conclusions:
- Significant gaps exist in understanding the molecular regulation of sauropsid cardiac and vascular development.
- Further research is needed on the functional maturation and plasticity of the sauropsid cardiovascular system.
- This review highlights key areas for future studies in this diverse vertebrate lineage.
More Related Videos
13:43Two-step Approach to Explore Early- and Late-stages of Organ Formation in the Avian Model: The Thymus and Parathyroid Glands Organogenesis Paradigm
Published on: June 17, 2018
04:37Left Atrial Ligation in the Avian Embryo as a Model for Altered Hemodynamic Loading During Early Vascular Development
Published on: June 16, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Development of the Heart
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...
Specialized Characteristics of Cardiac Muscles
Cardiac muscle cells are smaller than skeletal muscles, averaging 10–20 mm in diameter and 50–100 mm in length. However, they have large energy demands for continuous contraction and relaxation. This energy is almost exclusively derived from aerobic metabolism of energy reserves in...
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification
Convergent Evolution
Development of the Lymphatic System
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...