Spina bifida: a chick embryo experimental model

Neural Tube Defects (NTD) can be induced in the chick embryo with relative ease in order to provide an experimental tool for investigation of such disabling malformations. Domestic hen (Gallus gallus) eggs were incubated at 37.5 degrees C and 80% humidity for 24 h. At that moment, 5 ml of albumen were aspirated by sterile puncture of the shell, and the incubation was resumed. The embryos were recovered and studied at the 8th, 10th and 14th days. Almost half (45%) of the 602 treated embryos survived and 73 of them (12%) had various malformations. Thirty-six (6%) suffered NTD of which 30 were open myelomeningocele, 2 meningocele and 4 encephalocele. The anatomy of the defects was astonishingly similar to that of the human malformation. Whether these experimental NTD are induced by mechanical or nutritional modifications of the internal environment of the egg is unknown, but the similarity of the lesion with those in humans make them suitable for further investigation of these issues. We believe that this relatively simple and inexpensive model is a suitable tool for research on spina bifida.