Ultrastructural changes in the distal wing bud of the chick embryo after removal of the apical ectodermal ridge

The ultrastructural changes in the wing bud afterapical ectodermal ridge (A.E.R.) removal was studied to re-examine the issue of distal mesenchymal cell death. The A.E.R. of the right wing bud was removed microsurgically from chick embryos of stages 18 to 22 (HH 1951). The wing buds were examined at three hour intervals up to twelve hours after the operation with light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The main findings were:(1) Immediate and temporary shrinkage of the mesenchymal extracellular space 100 to 150 μm and chromatin condensation in the cells 50 to 75 μm from the wound. (2) Death of ectodermal and mesenchymal cells in the immediate vicinity of the wound. (3) Formation of a single squamous-like layer of mesenchymal cells to cover the wound. (4) Occasional evidence of cell death in the distal mesenchyme at later times after the operation.The pattern of cell death observed suggests only a traumatic etiology, and gives little evidence for the postulated developmental significance of cell death following A.E.R. removal.