using-avian-skin-explants-to-study-tissue-patterning-and-organogenesis

Using Avian Skin Explants to Study Tissue Patterning and Organogenesis

The developing avian skin during embryogenesis is a unique model that can provide valuable insights into tissue patterning. Here three variations on skin ...

Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California

It may appear counter-intuitive to compare feathers and mammary glands. However, through this Evo-Devo analysis, we appreciate how species interact with the environment, requiring different ectodermal organs. Novel ectodermal organs help define evolutionary directions, leading to new organism classes as exemplified by feathers for Aves and mammary glands for Mammals. Here, we review their structure, function, morphogenesis and regenerative cycling. Interestingly, both organs undergo extensive branching for different reasons; feather branching is driven by mechanical advantage while mammary glands nourish young. Besides natural selection, both are regulated by sex hormones and acquired a secondary function for attracting mates, contributing to sexual selection.

Mammary glands and feathers: comparing two skin appendages which help define novel classes during vertebrate evolution.

To study tooth cycling in polyphyodont animals, we chose to work on alligators. Alligators have teeth in three phases of development at each tooth location. This assembly of three teeth is called a tooth family unit. As part of the study, in order to study tooth cycling in alligators, we wanted to know the configuration of the tooth family unit in every tooth position. From the surface of the mouth, this is difficult to assess. Therefore, we decided to use MicroCT which can image X-ray dense materials providing a three-dimensional view. MicroCT provided us with valuable information for this study. The method described below can be applied to study tooth cycling in other vertebrate species.

Article	Year
Mammary glands and feathers: comparing two skin appendages which help define novel classes during vertebrate evolution. Seminars in cell & developmental biology\| PubMed ID: 17382566	2007
MicroCT Imaging on Living Alligator Teeth Reveals Natural Tooth Cycling. Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)\| PubMed ID: 28809034	2017

Randall B. Widelitz

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