Chapter 1 Avian Somite Transplantation: A Review of Basic Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines two basic procedures for the transplantation of quail embryo somites into chick embryos. Although the two methods were developed independently, both employ a remarkably similar surgical strategy, even down to the sequence of incisions. The similarity in incision sequence reflects mechanical constraints inherent to the tissues within the avian embryo. Nevertheless, combining materials or techniques from both procedures can exploit advantages and minimize disadvantages. In addition, these basic procedures can also be used to perform modified somite transplantations or transplantations of somite fragments. Tranplantation of somite fragments can be used to elucidate the fate of different portions of the developing somite. Half-somite transplantation has proven particularly useful in this regard because the somite can easily be divided in half along each of its three axes. The connections between half-somite fragments, however, are somewhat more fragile than those between whole somites, so more care must be taken in their isolation and transfer. The chapter also outlines half-somite transplantation strategies that have proven useful in revealing novel aspects of early development.