The effects of Streptomyces hyaluronidase on tissue organization and cell cycle time in rat embryos.

Day 9 rat embryos (late presomite stage with cranial neural plate or very early neural folds) were cultured for various periods of time from 6-48 h in medium containing 20 TRU ml-1 Streptomyces hyaluronidase. Exposure to the enzyme resulted in considerable reduction of mesenchymal extracellular matrix. Access of the enzyme to the embryo was confirmed by alcian blue staining which indicated considerable reduction of extracellular and cell surface hyaluronate. Cranial neurulation was retarded, but not inhibited, and migration of both neural crest and primary mesenchyme cells occurred. In general, morphology was normal at 48 h. The major effect was on growth: embryos were smaller, with slightly reduced neuroepithelial cell number and greatly reduced mesenchymal cell number. Neuroepithelial cell cycle time was slightly prolonged, and that of the mesenchyme more than doubled. This differential effect on the growth rates of these two tissues reflects the normal distribution of hyaluronate, which is particularly abundant in the mesenchymal extracellular matrix.