Methylcarbamate effects on Meckel's cartilages in the chick embryo

On the basis of previous observations on the teratogenic effects of a variety of organophosphorus and methylcarbamate compounds on the avian skeletal apparatus, the Meckel's cartilage shape and structure were analyzed in carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) treated and control chick embryos of 9, 10, 12 days of incubation. The results indicate that both during normal development and under experimental conditions these cartilages undergo similar deformities, apparently subsequent to chondroblast death and regressive processes in the extracellular matrix. Since the macro- and microscopical cartilage alterations are significantly more frequent in the treated embryos than in the controls, a hypothesis is advanced that the methylcarbamate may increase the spontaneous tendency of the above mentioned cartilaginous anlagen to be affected by degenerative processes during embryogenesis.