The Distribution of Sulphur in the Differentiating Visceral Cartilage of Xenopus
During embryonic development the differentiation of different tissues depends largely on the synthesis of specific substances characteristic of each tissue. From this viewpoint it is of interest to study the uptake of sulphur by the early embryo, especially since the incorporation and retention of this isotope in sulpho-muco-polysaccharides has now been well established by various authors working on fully differentiated tissues (see review by Dziewiatkowski, 1958). So far some work has been done on the distribution of radiosulphate in early embryos (Amprino, 1955 a, b; Friberg & Ringertz, 1956; Johnston & Comar, 1957), but for amphibians in particular no information is yet available. The present paper deals with the incorporation of radiosulphate in various embryonic tissues of Xenopus, in particular in the visceral cartilage of ectomesodermal (neural crest) origin. Embryos of X. laevis in stages 29–47 (Nieuwkoop & Faber, 1956) were used.