Embryonal hypermobility and articular development

This investigation was devised to correlate development of the articular system of the embryo with variations of motility by introducing reserpine to chick embryos at a Hamburger-Hamilton stage 25-26. Administration of reserpine was followed by hypermotility or paralysis in a dose-dependent fashion. Size of joint cavities varies with motility of the limbs. Larger than normal cavities are due to excess movements, while lack of these impedes differentiation. These data are consistent with the primary role of motility in articular development.