Abstract
Summary
Homogenates from flank skin of Ambystoma maculatum embryos at stage 35 show MSH-like activity when tested with punctate melanophores in epidermal vesicles and in hypophysectomized larvae. Homogenates from flank skin of older embryos (Siredon mexicanum at stage 41-42) and from adult tissues (Rana pipiens) show no such activity. The temporary occurrence of an MSH-like factor in early embryonic skin may explain the initial pituitary independence of the earliest melanophores differentiating in urodele pigment patterns.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.