Retinoic acid (RA) is an important morphogen during the development of vertebrate embryos. Its complex and pleiotropic role is crucial for the correct establishment of the body axes and the proper course of further morphogenesis. It can also act teratogenic if its concentration is higher than normal or if it is present at the wrong time. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of exogenous RA on early embryonic development in the Spanish ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl). Developing embryos at either the blastula or gastrula stage were exposed to different concentrations of RA (10-6 M, 10-8 M, 10-10 M, 10-11 M) for shorter and longer periods (1 hour and 24 hours). The teratogenic effects of RA on embryonic and larval development and survival were monitored. Histological analysis was also performed. Our observations show that the effects of RA on embryonic development in this species depend on the stage of development at exposure, the concentration of RA added, and also on the length of exposure in RA. Lethal developmental abnormalities were observed at the highest concentration (10-6 M RA) for blastulas and gastrulas exposed for the longest time (24 hours) and as well at 1 hour gastrula exposure. In blastulas, development stopped after neurulation while gastrulas stopped during early organogenesis, whereas gastrulas exposed for 1 hour survived from two weeks to one month. Among the surviving embryos, the most severe developmental abnormalities were observed in embryos exposed to 10-8 M RA for 24 hours during gastrulation. Our observations indicate that RA affected the development of head and brain (posteriorization with loss of the anterior parts), eyes (anophthalmia, microphthalmia, cyclopia, missing lens), jaws, pharynx and gills. The body axis was shortened with a bent and forked tail. No major developmental abnormalities were observed at lower concentrations of RA (10-10 M, 10-11 M), and regardless of the length of exposure or developmental stage. These effects of exogenous RA on the development of the Spanish ribbed newt are similar to that observed in other vertebrate model organisms.
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