Spatiotemporal expression of fibroblast growth factor 10 in human hindgut and anorectal development

As fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF-10) gene expression may have a role in anorectal duct formation, this study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal expression pattern of FGF-10 during development of the rectum and hindgut in human embryos. FGF-10 expression was evaluated in human embryos (n = 85) at 3-8 weeks of gestation after immunohistochemical evaluation using antibodies specific for FGF-10. From weeks 4 to 7 of gestation, FGF-10 expression was observed primarily in the apical epithelium of the dorsal urorectal septum, the cloacal membrane (CM) and the hindgut. Following CM rupture (week 7), the epithelium of the anal canal was negative for FGF-10; however, it was present within the urothelium through week 7. FGF-10 expression during the development of the human hindgut and anorectum suggests that it may play a role in hindgut and anorectal morphogenesis.