Effects of microgravity on the larval development, metamorphosis and reproduction of the urodele amphibian <i>Pleurodeles waltl</i>

Dournon, Christian; Durand, Danielle; Tankosic, Christiane; Membre, H.; Gualandris‐Parisot, Lydie; Bautz, A.

doi:10.1046/j.1440-169x.2001.00575.x

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Yet the larvae that developed had normal morphology and could swim normally [1]. They were later able to mate and reproduce successfully on earth [6]. Other studies that have involved more limited exposure to spaceflight have shown some changes in the development of the vestibular apparatus in the Japanese newt [7] and the vestibuloocular reflex in the African clawed frog (Xenopus) [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects Hypergravity on the Morphology of Xenopus Embryos

Remus¹,

Wiens²

2008

AJUR

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Early amphibian development is sensitive to both reduced and elevated gravitational force. But later, following gastrulation and neurulation, a critical population of cells must migrate from the dorsal neural tube outward to destinations throughout the body where they differentiate into a wide variety of critical tissues including head cartilage. These cells, the neural crest cells, respond to extracellular cues and signals that guide migration and differentiation in an intricate process that may also be sensitive to altered gravity. We examined the effects of hypergravity on the migration of neural crest cells to form head skeleton cartilage, and on body size in Xenopus embryos. To investigate this we centrifuged embryos at 7G or 10G, from yolk plug stage (gastrulation) through five days of development to stage 45 when feeding begins. A control group was placed on the centrifuge. After centrifugation, the embryos were fixed, cleared and stained with Alcian Blue to reveal cartilage. We then captured images for analysis to obtain body and head cartilage measurements. We found that hypergravity retarded the growth of Xenopus embryos, possibly via increased load on the cardiovascular system. Surprisingly, it also resulted in significantly larger and more asymmetrical head cartilages, when corrected for body size, but it did not result in a significantly higher frequency of malformations. Our results support the likelihood that hypergravity inhibits body growth and perturbs the formation of neural crest derived head cartilage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects Hypergravity on the Morphology of Xenopus Embryos

Remus¹,

Wiens²

2008

AJUR

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“…however, the embryos demonstrate the ability to compensate for nervous system abnormalities [35]. From video taken on board the MIR space station, it was clearly that embryos with such abnormalities developed into hatched larvae [31]. Thus, those abnormalities were temporary and subsequently reversible, and outside several acephalic and microcephalic specimens, ontogeny proceeded quite normally for microgravity-exposed embryos.…”

Section: Spanish Ribbed Newtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, effects observed in anuran amphibian species were dependent on the developmental stages at which the animals were launched and on the rearing devices used during the space flights [31].…”

Section: Anuran Amphibian Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The experimental data included video recording, and the results of morphological, histological and immunocytological studies; a subset of newt larvae was kept alive for laboratory rearing upon landing [32]. Embryos and larvae were staged according to the chronological table of development of the Pleurodeles waltl according to Gallien and Durocher [31].…”

Section: Spanish Ribbed Newtmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reproduction and the Early Development of Vertebrates in Space: Problems, Results, Opportunities

Proshchina

Gulimova

Kharlamova

et al. 2021

Life

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Humans and animals adapt to space flight conditions. However, the adaptive changes of fully formed organisms differ radically from the responses of vertebrate embryos, foetuses, and larvae to space flight. Development is associated with active cell proliferation and the formation of organs and systems. The instability of these processes is well known. Over 20 years has passed since the last systematic experiments on vertebrate reproduction and development in space flight. At the same time, programs are being prepared for the exploration of Mars and the Moon, which justifies further investigations into space flight’s impact on vertebrate development. This review focuses on various aspects of reproduction and early development of vertebrates in space flights. The results of various experiments on fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are described. The experiments in which our team took part and ontogeny of the vertebrate nervous and special sensory systems are considered in more detail. Possible causes of morphological changes are also discussed. Research on evolutionarily and taxonomically different models can advance the understanding of reproduction in microgravity. Reptiles, in particular, geckos, due to their special features, can be a promising object of space developmental biology.

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“…Female of P. waltl lays fertilized eggs like other urodeles (internal fertilization). Since the female newts keep the sperm for several months after mating, we could obtain fertilized eggs without males (Dournon et al 2001). Eggs obtained just after fertilization were required for efficient transgenesis; however, it is difficult to determine the exact timing of fertilization when it occurs internally.…”

Section: Artificialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular genetic system for regenerative studies using newts

et al. 2013

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Urodele newts have the remarkable capability of organ regeneration, and have been used as a unique experimental model for more than a century. However, the mechanisms underlying regulation of the regeneration are not well understood, and gene functions in particular remain largely unknown. To elucidate gene function in regeneration, molecular genetic analyses are very powerful. In particular, it is important to establish transgenic or knockout (mutant) lines, and systematically cross these lines to study the functions of the genes. In fact, such systems have been developed for other vertebrate models. However, there is currently no experimental model system using molecular genetics for newt regenerative research due to difficulties with respect to breeding newts in the laboratory. Here, we show that the Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl) has outstanding properties as a laboratory newt. We developed conditions under which we can obtain a sufficient number and quality of eggs throughout the year, and shortened the period required for sexual maturation from 18 months to 6 months. In addition, P. waltl newts are known for their ability, like other newts, to regenerate various tissues. We revealed that their ability to regenerate various organs is equivalent to that of Japanese common newts. We also developed a method for efficient transgenesis. These studies demonstrate that P. waltl newts are a suitable model animal for analysis of regeneration using molecular genetics. Establishment of this experimental model will enable us to perform comparable studies using these newts and other vertebrate models.

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Effects of microgravity on the larval development, metamorphosis and reproduction of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl

Cited by 15 publications

References 17 publications

The Effects Hypergravity on the Morphology of Xenopus Embryos

The Effects Hypergravity on the Morphology of Xenopus Embryos

Reproduction and the Early Development of Vertebrates in Space: Problems, Results, Opportunities

Molecular genetic system for regenerative studies using newts

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