The Effect of Chloroacetophenone on Chick Embryos Cultured in vitro
Brachet's (1950) strong emphasis on the role of —SH-containing proteins in the process of induction has stimulated a study of the interference in the normal process of morphogenesis of chick embryos by chloroacetophenone, which has been described by Beatty (1951) as a specific and irreversible —SH inhibitor. He studied the effect of chloroacetophenone on the development of embryos of Rana and Triturus employing different concentrations. Deuchar (1957) also studied the action of the same chemical on the embryos of Xenopus laevis and has recorded abnormalities mainly in the brain and the eye. In the present work ω-chloroacetophenone (CAP) commercially known as phenacyl chloride (ω—C6H5.CO.CH2Cl) was employed. The sample used was a B.D.H. product. Fresh fertilized hens' eggs brought from a local poultry farm were incubated at 37·5° C. for 16 to 18 hours to obtain definitive primitive-streak stages (range of length from 1·75 mm. to 2 mm.) or for about 22 hours to obtain head-process stages (average length of the head process alone 0·56 mm.).