Figure 1 - figure supplement 1

Anatomical and histological survey of chick OFC.

(a) Mean eye diameter measurements for chick at embryonic days E4-E8 (n ≥ 5 eyes per stage). (b) Representative images of whole embryos and corresponding flat-mounted fissures from fusion-relevant Hamburger Hamilton (Hamburger and Hamilton, 1992; Hamburger and Hamilton, 1951) embryonic stages. The approximate point of the initiating fusion plate is indicated for a HH.St28 fissure (white arrow). A minimum of 3 fissures were examined by confocal light-microscopy to identify fusion points and then additional samples were processed by serial cryo-sectioning to confirm fusion plates and fused seams. (c) Whole embryo (Top panels) and memGPF confocal Z-stack images (Lower panels) at HH.St25 and HH.St26 positioned at the distal and medial OFM in the P-D axis illustrated lack of fusion throughout the iris and fissure margin. (d) Representative H and E sections from fissures at HH.St25 and HH.St26 confirming lack of fusion at these stages. Note the OFM in close apposition but un-fused (arrow) at the iris region in HH.St25 OFM (enlarged panel). Panel labels i-iii correspond to positions indicated in c).