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Mesonephros has a role in limb development and is related to thalidomide embryopathy

D M Smith1, R D Torres, T D Stephens

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello 83201, USA.

Teratology
|September 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Mesonephros removal can cause limb reduction defects in developing embryos. This study confirms that the mesonephros is essential for normal limb development, potentially through a craniocaudal signal.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Embryology
  • Teratology

Background:

  • Previous research linked mesonephros removal to limb reduction defects.
  • Uncertainty existed whether defects were due to mesonephros removal or scar tissue formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test if mesonephros elimination, without scar tissue, affects limb morphogenesis.
  • To investigate the role of the mesonephros in limb development.
  • To compare mesonephric defects with human thalidomide embryopathy.

Main Methods:

  • Tantalum foil barriers were inserted into chick embryo intermediate mesoderm.
  • Barriers prevented caudal elongation of the mesonephros at specific somite levels.

Main Results:

  • Limb reduction defects occurred when mesonephros formation was blocked caudal to somite 14.
  • No limb defects were observed when blocking occurred at somite 21 or 25.
  • A strong correlation was found between mesonephric defects and thalidomide embryopathy patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Mesonephros signals are crucial for normal limb development.
  • A craniocaudal factor from the mesonephros appears to influence limb development.
  • A model for thalidomide embryopathy involving mesonephric disruption is proposed.

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