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Identification of pigment cells during early amphibian development (Triturus alpestris, Ambystoma mexicanum)

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Summary

The purpose of the present investigation was to provide and apply a methodological manual with which the distribution, patterning and relationship of melanophores and xanthophores can be analyzed during early amphibian development. For demonstration of the methods, which include ultrastructural, histochemical and biochemical approaches, Triturus alpestris and Ambystoma mexicanum (axolotl) embryos are used. These two species differ conspicuously in their larval pigment patterns, showing alternating melanophore bands in horizontal (T. alpestris) and vertical (axolotl) arrangements. With transmission- and scanning electron microscopy melanophores and xanthophores were distinguished by their different pigment organelles and surface structures. The presence of phenol oxidase (tyrosinase) was used to reveal externally invisible or faintly visible melanophores by applying an excess of 3,4 dihydroxy-phenylalanine (dopa). Xanthophores were made visible in fixed and living embryos by demonstrating their pterin fluorescence. In addition, pterins were analyzed by HPLC in embryos before and after pigmentation was visible.

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Abbreviations

DOPA:

dihydroxy-phenylalanine

FCS:

fetal calf serum

FIF:

formaldehyde-induced fluorescence

FITC:

fluorescein isothiocyanate

HPLC:

high performance liquid chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anatomisches Institut der Universität, Freiburg, Germany

    Hans-Henning Epperlein

  2. Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltforschung, Institut für Experimentelle Hämatologie, München, Germany

    Irmgard Ziegler

  3. Developmental Biology Center, University of California, Irvine, California, USA

    Roberto Perris

Authors
  1. Hans-Henning Epperlein
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  2. Irmgard Ziegler
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  3. Roberto Perris
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Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Michael Claviez

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Epperlein, HH., Ziegler, I. & Perris, R. Identification of pigment cells during early amphibian development (Triturus alpestris, Ambystoma mexicanum). Cell Tissue Res. 253, 493–505 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219740

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219740

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