Embryonic development stages of myotis myotis (large mouse-eared bat) and distribution of some extracellular matrix compounds in these stages

Aim of this study was to determine embryonic stages of Myotis myotis species living in Kırklareli/Koyunbaba Cave. For this purpose, embryo samples from female specimens were taken during pregnancy and embryonic stages were determined. Additionally distribution of some extracellular matrix compounds in these stages were evaluated. Sections were taken from known embryos at determined stages and stained immunohistochemically. Distribution of laminin and fibronectin at different organs was also investigated in determined stages.In this study, a total of 15 stages were established for Myotis myotis (Large mouse-eared bat), based on external morphological features of embryos obtained from pregnant females. In addition blaminar blastocyst stage was examined histologically from sections of the uterus. Distribution of extracellular matrix compounds laminin and fibronectin at sections from bilaminar embryo, stage 10, stage 11, stage 14, stage 16 and stage 18 were investigated by using immunohistochemical staining method. On sections of early embryos, high fibronectin density was observed. Laminin was also determined around the embryonic disc. Fibronectin density was found to be higher at the same area. Fibronectin density was decresed with the progress of development. At stages 10, 11, 14, 16 and 18, laminin density was high in somites, eye, stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas, lung, kidney, heart and choroid plexus. Although fibronectin has given positive reaction in this stages, it is recorded that fibronectin had less density then laminin.