Organelle differentiation in the chick blastoderm during hypoblast formation

The ultrastructure of the chick blastoderm was examined at three developmental stages, from an unincubated single-layered system through hypoblast advancement to full hypoblast formation. With the onset of incubation the nucleolus changes from a loose network of intermingled pars fibrosa and pars granulosa into a compact body with a definite matrix material. The endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and Golgi complex increase in complexity and volume. In blastoderms with a fully developed hypoblast a special asymmetrical endoplasmic reticulum becomes abundant. These data are analysed in relation to similar structural differentiation of the nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex and mitochondria in the embryonic development of other vertebrate groups. The above changes in organelle structure are noted in both the epi- and the hypoblast, although these organelles become more abundant in the former. In the intermediate stage no differences are noted between epiblast cells underlined by hypoblast and those of the anterior single-layered region. The above changes in the epiblast must therefore be related to age and not to contact with the advancing hypoblast. Previous studies mentioned in the text seem to indicate that the inducing effect of the hypoblast on the epiblast is exerted after its complete formation and not during its advancement. Our results in the organelle differentiation during hypoblast formation are in accordance with this hypothesis.