Localization of Mg++-dependent adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities in the postimplantation mouse embryos in day 5 and 6.

Mg++-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Mg-ATPase) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activities were histo- and cytochemically investigated in postimplantation mouse embryos from day 5 to day 6. In day 5 postimplantation embryos, Mg-ATPase activity was detected in the embryonic ectoderm and weakly in the visceral endoderm. Weak ALPase activity was found in the embryonic ectoderm and visceral endoderm. Parietal endoderm, both in day 5 and in day 6 embryos, had very weak or no Mg-ATPase and ALPase activities. Mg-ATPase activity in day 6 embryos was found with the same localization as that in day 5 embryos. No ALPase activity was observed in their embryonic ectoderm. Extraembryonic ectodermal cell mass had the strongest Mg-ATPase activity in these stage embryos. These results suggest that the localization of both enzyme activities in postimplantation mouse embryos is closely related to the morphogenesis. As regards the proamniotic cavity formation, the fact that Mg-ATPase activity was still observed in the embryonic ectoderm in these stages suggests the involvement of active transport system on the production of nascent proamniotic cavity fluid.