SPECIFIC INHIBITION OF NEURAL DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CHICK EMBRYO

Abstract

Suspensions in Locke's solution of cell-free homogenates of the cerebra of recently hatched chicks were injected into the yolk of chicken eggs of 20–24 hours of incubation. Eggs were similarly injected with homogenates of chick muscle, mouse brain, and mouse muscle. About 37% of the embryos exposed to chick brain homogenates showed some degree of inhibition of development of the brain. Other treatments did not produce this effect. This is presented as further evidence in support of the concept of specific inhibition as a developmental mechanism.