Sensory tract abnormality in the chick model of spina bifida.

Spina bifida aperta (SBA) is an open neural tube defect that occurs during the embryonic period. We created SBA chicks by incising the roof plate of the neural tube in the embryo. The area of the dorsal funiculus was smaller in the SBA chicks than in the normal controls.

Developmental delay in islet-1-positive motor neurons in chick spina bifida.

Spina bifida aperta (SBA) is a congenital malformation of the spinal cord with complications such as spinal ataxia and bowel and bladder dysfunction. We have developed a chick model with surgery-induced SBA that shows spinal ataxia after hatching. In the present study, motor neurons in the early stages in chicks with and without SBA were observed by immunohistochemical staining with a monoclonal antibody against Islet-1, a motor neuron marker.

Leg dysfunctions in a hatched chick model of spina bifida aperta.

We created chicks with spina bifida aperta (SBA) by incising the roof plate of the neural tube of embryos at Hamburger and Hamilton stage 18 or 19. Incision over the length of three somites caused spina bifida occulta (SBO)-like malformation in 47% of the hatchlings. Incision over the length of five and seven somites caused SBA-like malformation in 100% of the hatchlings.