Ultrastructural observations on cell necrosis during formation of the neural tube in mouse embryos

Summary Spontaneous cell death in the developing brain of 8.5–9 day old mouse embryos has been investigated with the electron microscope. Before closure of the neural tube, areas of cell death are found at the neuro-somatic junction. After closure of the neural tube degenerating cells are found in the dorsal midline of the prospective diencephalon. Ultrastructurally, cell degeneration is marked by chromatin condensation, increase in electron density of the structures in the cytoplasm and, in later stages, by a marked pycnosis of the dying cell. After fragmentation, the necrotic material as well as entire pycnotic cells are phagocytized and digested by cells of the neuroepithelium. An invasion of macrophages has not been observed. The significance of cell necrosis is discussed in relation to the normal formation of the neural tube and to the occurrence of certain induced malformations (exencephalies).