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Reptile Embryology and Regeneration

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Vertebrate Embryogenesis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1920))

Abstract

Reptiles (lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodilians) are becoming increasingly popular as models for developmental investigations. In this review the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, is presented as a reptilian model for embryonic and tissue regeneration studies. We provide details of husbandry and breeding and discuss aspects of embryonic nutrition, egg anatomy, and sex determination. We provide comprehensive protocols for transcardial perfusion, short-term anesthesia using the injectable anesthetic Alfaxan, and full-thickness cutaneous biopsy punches, used in geckos for the study of scar-free wound healing. We also provide modifications to three popular histological techniques (whole-mount histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and double-label immunofluorescence) and provide details on bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and immuno-detection.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Pat A.D. Wise for comments on the manuscript, Helen Coates and Katie McLean for assistance developing the immunohistochemical protocols, Hanna Peacock for assistance developing the biopsy protocol, and Ilinca Lungu for assistance with the photography. This work is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

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Author notes

  1. Emily A. B. Gilbert

    Present address: Department of Surgery, Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

    Matthew K. Vickaryous & Emily A. B. Gilbert

Authors
  1. Matthew K. Vickaryous
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  2. Emily A. B. Gilbert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthew K. Vickaryous .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Francisco J. Pelegri

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Vickaryous, M.K., Gilbert, E.A.B. (2019). Reptile Embryology and Regeneration. In: Pelegri, F. (eds) Vertebrate Embryogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1920. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9009-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9009-2_13

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9008-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9009-2

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