Figure 5. In vitro cultures of palatal explants from Bmp7 show more ^{Δ /Δ} embryos.

(A) Pairs of palatal shelves dissected from developmental stages E14.5 to E16.5 were placed in apposition in vitro and cultured. The results showed that Bmp7^Δ/Δ palatal shelves retain the ability to fuse even at E16.5. (B) An example of a Bmp7^Δ/Δ palatal shelf from E14.5 is shown at the start (0 h), after 20 h and 84 h of culture. Fusion at the midline is visually evident at 84 h and the formation of palatal rugae indicates continuing palatal development. Scale bar: 500 μm (C) Explants were sectioned coronally and stained for Keratin14. Continuity of the epithelial layer and disappearance of the medial epithelial seam indicate successful fusion.