Microscopic-anatomical changes in the chick embryo after administration of 9-(RS)-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) adenine

Microscopic-anatomical changes were followed in embryos of white leghorn fowl 1-5 days after administration of 9-(RS)-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) adenine on day 2 of incubation. The main changes involved the spinal cord, eyes, and extremities, manifesting gross structural abnormalities. Development of the limb buds appeared to be arrested at stages corresponding to the third day of incubation, with their apical ectodermal ridges frequently absent. A conspicuous feature of all the experimental embryos was a seriously damaged spinal cord. The disturbance of spinal cord development was reflected in defective formation of vertebral anlagen. Development of eye anlagen was arrested at the optic cup stage. The lens, however, developed normally. No causal relationship between the CNS abnormalities and limb damage was determined.