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Amphibian regeneration and cellular heterochrony

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Abstract

It is posited that the initiating event of amphibian regeneration of a limb, is ‘retrodifferentiation’* of what are to become the developing cells of the blastema. These cells reiterate a larval or premetamorphic ontogenic repertoire, induced by elevated levels of prolactin with adequate innervation. Subsequent redifferentiation of the blastema cells occurs, controlled by thyroxine and innervation.

This temporal displacement of cellular morphologic characters in regeneration should be looked upon as a function of the ability to reiterate larval characters and subsequently metamorphose. If correct, this would explain why amphibians which metamorphose only once, lose the ability to postmetamorphically regenerate. An exception to this,Xenopus laevis, an anuran which can epimorphically regenerate, to some extent, will be discussed.[/p]

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  1. Science & Medicine Library, University of Toronto, 7 King's College Circle, M5S 1A5, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Roy Douglas Pearson

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Pearson, R.D. Amphibian regeneration and cellular heterochrony. Acta Biotheor 31, 181–184 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01857240

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01857240

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